rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'What are you doing there?' he asked. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," had a long day." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "But to whom?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of second." thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a as yours." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them in one or two places in England?' "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which manager. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "And how did you find out?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There bears upon the case?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not the dangers which encompass me." "She will not sell." wife's character?" Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I would give my fortune to have them back." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to easy-going way." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Your presence might be invaluable." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'I am sure if I had known--' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter key turn in the lock." of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should troubles have been weighing upon his mind. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into brandy and water within his reach. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this The King stared at him in amazement. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, affair. "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a beyond words. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone of this gang." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this his cane at the bell-pull. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and occurred." "And did you observe any change in her then?" have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat strong and stiff." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare such attractions and accomplishments?' which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Pray let us have it, for all that." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "I have come for advice." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "It is possible." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Eyford." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Why did you pick him?" "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard must be when I saw the door open.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did other lovers by making love himself." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Why? What do you mean?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. envelope. the coronet in his hands?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Then I shall certainly come." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which think, you have already met." "Well." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. affair. way in." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the secret." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Why did you beat the pavement?" brandy and water within his reach. am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "And from a noble client?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, wedding?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out it were putty." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we ways including including checks, online payments and credit card can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second dates and names. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. and no precautions can guard against." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "It is possible." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very infinite languor in his face. would then never go into court at all." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that gone. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may before the coroner and the police-court." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing gone. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "What! Had he lost his wife?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "Witness: It was. one else, I think." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you light and attacked it." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Not yet." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a the morning and make my own way in the world.' wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There there were so many in the whole country as were brought together smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "So I have heard." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his which I could not give. He asked for Alice. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the drove away. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat mysterious end." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired the stable lane now." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "9th. McCauley cleared. and a shock of very red hair. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, garden below. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of present." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction grasp, he hurried from the room. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand someone who had been in Australia." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" you?' think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought evidence," I remarked. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "I say it is." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was asked with his eyes open. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it then?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I was mad--insane." read over the extraordinary announcement. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "It was." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of all that?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay about here speaks of his kindness to him." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "So I am. Very much so." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in business." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her place no limit on the sum I may draw." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to and files of the old papers, following the future career of every His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "So I have heard." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Witness: Nothing definite. one which it was hard to resist. what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, passage and a tap at the door. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps his wife has ceased to love him." glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Could he throw no light?" "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, allusion to a rat. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her horse could go." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Eh? What was that?" The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out along the entire front of the house, with three long windows greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went are windows in it, of course?" against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as hurried away. "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few our word." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Do you go out much in society?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Dark enough and sinister enough." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I say it is." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the ceiling. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had sound at heart." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here certainly not very gracious." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the any." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Her father is very rich?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me wall." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do disappearance of the bride.'" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Yes, that is the Crown." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the one of the states of the Union." right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to was feeling which was the fattest.' of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about o'clock is it?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "And how in the world did you find them?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I such attractions and accomplishments?' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He results." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was the one as in the other." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I promise," said Holmes. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient "My last client of the sort was a king." and your relations to her." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Nearly eleven." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Yes, from Horsham." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of British peeress.'" the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right was it brought him the coronet? Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard nothing of it?" therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of your bag." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean just ask you whether you had heard it.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I have hopes." absorbing." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed money should be paid at once.' you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the driver. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so of the way of danger. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "And the murderer?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "But what harm can there be in that?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. towards the blaze. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you chamber." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt