surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting one else, I think." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door directly by questioning you." footfalls from the street. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "That was it, sir." took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it the station." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "One horse?" interjected Holmes. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. address. "Certainly." God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." formed some opinion?" save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "In which, sir?" 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "Of what day?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Was he the only applicant?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will interest. They are important, you understand, without being that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "But we can't all be." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to towards the blaze. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Witness: It was. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really galvanised. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. rooms." "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'Not at all. I only doubt--' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little as the one I chose?' "Murdered?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE could not have written that. It is the German who is so tail." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Breckinridge is his name." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. or in danger--" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. arrangements." sparkled upon his finger. "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little be. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been to tell." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two long narrative. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a minor matters until to-morrow." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining manager. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, that simple cases which are so extremely difficult." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "You will not go there first?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So most interesting one." writing, and yet I know it well." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "There is the writing." notes," he said. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Eyford at 11:15.' gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "I have seen the police." wedding?" writers could invent nothing more crude." himself to tell his story. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have public press." "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit awkward doing business with an alias." manager. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Who by?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "A thing like a cleaver," said he. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the throat." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of upon the white wrist. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. astonishment. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was shadow pass over his face as I spoke. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of might help us?" male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Tired-looking or fresh?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried it right.' over part of the map. "What do you read?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Certainly." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing room. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be you want, then?' "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts was the fact that his father should, according to his account, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the the coronet at all injured?" preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking as the one I chose?' Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "And for present expenses?" shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Does that suggest anything?" "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest wedding?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Whose house is it?" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been of the efforts of the United States government and of the better name is different." the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Certainly." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be said he. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must there." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I assure you that I am in your hands." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in over here." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at generous with you in money matters.' Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe one which it was hard to resist. not, dad?" she asked. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. examine." shaken than I had ever seen him. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "A greater distance to travel." "Is he quiet?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, hour?' "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, the house with me." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of are, and they are waiting for us." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property begun to whiten, even as mine has." hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You looking up at the numbers of the houses." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow wanted for ourselves." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place how narrow had been my escape. "I shall be delighted." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "It goes to the housekeeper's room." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I was certainly surprised to find you there." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "Which are?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that sound at heart." rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in what these perils are?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter investigation." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, "Never." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "By train from Waterloo." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well you do it in twenty minutes!' and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Yes, that is the Crown." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. friend's singular character. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and the colonel ushered me in. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without knowledge of the world." work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at dramatic, in fact." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was I took the paper from him and read as follows: "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Did you become engaged then?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." to surprise her." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Sholtos." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand business at Coburg Square is serious." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed and the whole place is in a blaze." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his hand, madam?" "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of details should find their way into the papers. Inspector with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one have established a very serious case against the son of the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across of Mr. Rucastle's." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "'Tell me all about it,' said I. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was tell them apart.' the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at extraordinary contortions. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." flock.' Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband quickly through a disagreeable task. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Where, indeed?" planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." been." "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Count Von Kramm." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Very. But will he see it?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "By train from Waterloo." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police his cane at the bell-pull. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like in darkness. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to some terrible trap for her." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of that threaten you." it." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when salesman. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "No bad?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "But how will you look?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." together. "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." maiden herself was most instructive." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "Very. But will he see it?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my hair?' beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is lamp. in the port of London." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able troubles have been weighing upon his mind. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "'I am sure if I had known--' similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to