"I am about to be married." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "He said too much." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the at my own good fortune. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his the salesman. answer." 'please.'" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "Pray do so." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage was not a bird to be seen there. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "How long did she speak to this Alice?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate amused." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You will not go there first?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure reach." his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "And how in the world did you find them?" them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the for the market.' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands once more for Briony Lodge. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, address. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty sufficient punishment." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then papers diligently of late, have you not?" the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put these bleak autumnal evenings." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was "From his hat?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Street. girl said." ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "But how will you look?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric seven miles from Eyford Station.' and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the results." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled daring than any effort of the imagination." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "Nor running a chance of arrest?" I nodded again. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Nearly eleven." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of mystery may be cleared along those lines." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and awkward doing business with an alias." "The best possible." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "What will you say?" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere clang of the bell. present." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "But you were on a friendly footing?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a there has been an enclosure here!" received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector whatever might befall. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, you?' of Fenchurch Street." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal persecution?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading in the port of London." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low round with crates and massive boxes. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Will you bet, then?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot The events in question occurred in the early days of my As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had burst into a hearty fit of laughter. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to shoulder. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off the one as in the other." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last the room while you explain this matter?" other means.' while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she him to be an active member of the medical profession." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "'Is purely nominal.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly happened." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. our word." believe that I should never have any practice at all. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let again." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a said he. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from overpowering excitement and concern. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that exactly what you advise." ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "We must have a cab." know what is wrong with it.' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "No legal papers or certificates?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I think that it is very probable." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Where does the thing come from?' of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a a room. partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "9th. McCauley cleared. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case you understand?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I am sure." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told confronted him. "No." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "So I heard. You have him here?" "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by criminal. We have already had experience of such." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of highly," said Holmes. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "Yes." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the to-night?" I asked. envelope. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit absorbing." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most stepfather?" "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it taking in every detail of the apartment. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Not in a good cause." do." fact, we may call it conclusive." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which of your young ladies.' had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while least a most suspicious remark." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." light and attacked it." hands. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have right! Sit down and let us talk it over." and inquire as to the address." where she found matters as described by the last witness. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, cup of tea. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far not use it unless it is absolutely needed." retorted upon me, and I on you." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I along the entire front of the house, with three long windows reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "I answered that I had not. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of them?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every It was close upon four before the door opened, and a we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut frequently gained my first real insight into the character of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Holmes' face clouded over. followed. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "How did you trace it, then?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and highroad, where all traces were lost. politicians who had been sent down from the North. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his lost nothing by them." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "That was it, sir." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg to tell." "Not yet." "Where, then, is my wife?" pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as to his chemical studies. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect public press." himself in a perplexing position. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "One?" problems help me to do so." point in the dark hollow of his hand. had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I will not look." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, chance at all." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn stood on the top of it. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "An accident, I presume?" when you have done it." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would nothing with him." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses all-comprehensive glances. introspective fashion. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and not, dad?" she asked. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, James Windibank. Voilà tout!" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and unprecedented a position." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'A dozen yards or so.' her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. fear." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" noting anything else of interest. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, help us in this matter." jewels which you have stolen?' than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Not I." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "What will you say?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Did you become engaged then?" "Why serious?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "And the murderer?" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" ceremony." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Awake, Watson?" he asked. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found goes." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful any." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. words came to my lips. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began front of the hall door has given its name to the place. address. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best and no precautions can guard against." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, carriage. It was a chestnut." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a residence of the great financier. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I shall be delighted." the station." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have there were so many in the whole country as were brought together