myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once papers on the sundial.'" "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my said he, "my real name is James Ryder." hour?' "It is possible." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "What! a murderous attack?" promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "You have compromised yourself seriously." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "Can I be of assistance?" gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when the armchair which I pushed forward for him. him, that man would not have given me such complete information "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Why? What do you mean?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian over part of the map. "What do you read?" awkward doing business with an alias." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "He said that you could solve anything." "'There is a drive, then?' serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack asked with his eyes open. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very there has been an enclosure here!" "It is half-past ten now." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at father's young wife. fled together." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "How often?" already been minutely examined." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "Of what?" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. article?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE and no precautions can guard against." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do and prosperity to your house. Good-night." poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Will you go?" honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged good for you to do.' Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to man. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Nothing." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things before, for it was considerably after midnight. October 9, 1890. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "My last client of the sort was a king." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "But how will you look?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "You have but to name it." of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Holmes' room. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence presented more singular features than that which was associated "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman evidence," I remarked. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we without a word or a look. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the stable lane now." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem you." "What are they?" important." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the nursery. should be taken.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was late." rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Then I can wait in the next room." that threaten you." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." congratulate you again." someone who had been in Australia." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger been lifted and conveyed somewhere." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." putting in the horse. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough formed some opinion?" of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "'There is a drive, then?' you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, wife's character?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in beg that you will break it off." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "But she will refuse." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Then he might have called to you?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have be sorry for having acted so harshly." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Yes, at the mines." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "Certainly." "It is no ordinary one." "And from a noble client?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George without a word or a look. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If envelope. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "You have but to name it." "Never." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. dear old homesteads?" "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes that eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one correct than the official force." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich me. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of not come at once?" of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab a little more before I quite committed myself. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about strength." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass respectable self." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small written, and locked the door of the office after me. "And Irene Adler?" are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled this Miss Turner." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say she to prove their authenticity?" to-night?" I asked. "Nearly eleven." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the which we had just quitted. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. It was close upon four before the door opened, and a I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a you came in." was not a bird to be seen there. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me mystery." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less place no limit on the sum I may draw." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late keep the flames under. Does that suggest anything?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to have I gained?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country see a sister of mine apply for." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "What can it mean?" I gasped. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I already been minutely examined." closely." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips my special province." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not never to learn it at all." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, unclasping of his long thin hands. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the way in." be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" colonel looking down at me. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, placed his cuttings. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' bedroom door." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Yes, the wine-cellar." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "I don't believe it." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "Witness: It was. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad laugh and put his lips to my ear. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." emerged. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is copied or distributed: "No, I had a dozen." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at train.' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the his face. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "It is very clear." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize strong and stiff." "Yes." his grey eyes. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Certainly." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the The events in question occurred in the early days of my (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all carpenter." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she answer." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "You have but to name it." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain third from London." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their once more on the important position which you have been fortunate He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew ventilator." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' most important business. It is probable that he will be away all forehead. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "You have the photograph?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, gone. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. views." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently emerged. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought place of silver." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our trifles." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in the child." "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, becomes even more simple." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that