said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on shag which I had seen upon the previous night. the loss of it. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the pictures, libraries, or plate. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I This is what he says: office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I was keenly on my guard against him. did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the presume?" "Nothing." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord drove away. too. "Upon what point?" that I am arrested." "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "To an end?" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "And I to find an enemy." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not over with notes and figures. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Foundation yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" she to prove their authenticity?" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "And on what day did he meet his death?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "How are you getting on?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up the south-west, I see." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "I have solved it." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage shoulder. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "Do you receive much company?" he asked. away to you." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I will get her to show me." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "No?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or it." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "That's no good." skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "No legal papers or certificates?" "You are all wrong." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Then, how do you know?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "What shall I do?" was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the so-precious time, but come!' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the roots. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "I know where it is." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." round and wave him away like that.' lost his Christmas dinner." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is when you have done it." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his behind me. "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "By no means." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five bare slabs of marble. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I cost them two and thirty pounds." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "You have the photograph?" "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney himself in a perplexing position. "But he might be a bachelor." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Never." advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "That is easily got." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he be best to do. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "At half-wages, in fact." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project such person." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Her father is very rich?" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "I cannot as yet see any connection." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with key turn in the lock." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my writing, and yet I know it well." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his believe that I should never have any practice at all. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, delirious. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Never." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Holmes' room. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the beg that you will break it off." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and again." second window is the one that I jumped from." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I nodded to show that I had heard. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Did you observe the colour?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "You were travelling in the States?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. as noiselessly as she had come. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "What I expected to see." "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "To an English lawyer named Norton." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "No." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Your presence might be invaluable." it means?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before father's place of business?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his mystery may be cleared along those lines." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with away in different directions, and I went off to make my own so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were over here." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "Do you go out much in society?" Lestrade of Scotland Yard." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "The decline of his fortunes, then?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive events, Mr. Windibank!" out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst as noiselessly as she had come. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an one which it was hard to resist. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, "You did not overhear what they said?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without to Leatherhead. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, fattened it expressly for you.' flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "He is dead," cried several voices. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Two days later this same performance was gone through under look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Did he not advertise?" "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." you want, then?' opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "The best possible." "Very murderous indeed." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear and looked back. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent people in all walks of life. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest kindly on the shoulder. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "What?" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt and it need not interfere very much with one's other Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were very old mansion. you." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "He is still with you, I presume?" affair. arrested. You then--" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "No, my brougham is waiting." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us him. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the You want to know what became of those geese?" suddenly upon us." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I was afraid that you were engaged." beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "The vanishing of the lady." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "That is possible." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, highly," said Holmes. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be ordinary clothes on?" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set directly by questioning you." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and had formerly been in part my own. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "But how did you gain them?" business matters.' endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Witness: Nothing definite. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical one of them." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of little adventures." was a loud and authoritative tap. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my Surrey." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which families. Now for the facts. scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and ourselves in the office." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think papers." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently to arrive at through this?" sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Your sister is dead, then?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "It certainly sounds feasible." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt you." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. upon an income of about 60 pounds." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." rat could hardly pass through." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Just look it up, then." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Then what has happened to him?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the to change my dress. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution said Mr. Holder. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "My last client of the sort was a king." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. you?' upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at gone. coat-tails." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Never." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. to surprise her." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "You horrify me." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a some place of shelter and let the county police know what has when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps approach us with offers to donate. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Pray continue your narrative." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and more terrible than the truth.