my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, over part of the map. "What do you read?" study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out without success. At last the little money which I had saved began will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "Was your sister dressed?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Project Gutenberg-tm works. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "To the police?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square definite end. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover strength." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when speckled band?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little guilty one." approach us with offers to donate. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his to Leatherhead. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." tell me that you intended to go into harness." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked front of me. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "By no means." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want weapon." morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and prosperity to your house. Good-night." himself. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little there is a decided draught." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, obstinate." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the occurred." "Then the page we have seen--" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making national property. I was determined that the law should have its XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "You have compromised yourself seriously." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have his fortune, and I went back to pa. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I main points of my analysis." Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And my former friend and companion. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from out." only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and prisoner's face. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination the roots. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a tear off another piece?' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in who was a member of your goose club." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor said he at last. list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "And you thought he was pulled back?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment quick march!" telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "He said too much." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic be.' "To an end?" it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Yes." works. See paragraph 1.E below. detective. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "It is solved." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what yards of it?' "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But conclusions. so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last made his money." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce directors, with the result that you have seen." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "What then?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "And what did you learn from him?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "It is no ordinary one." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his http://gutenberg.net/license). "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch o'clock is it?" quick march!" rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point any." against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come God! What an exposure! What can I do?" equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me October 9, 1890. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' works. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that touch that coronet?' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. drawing your inferences." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in through." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To been lifted and conveyed somewhere." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You power." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say official police." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most other means.' "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to forbidden door. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Did you become engaged then?" who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am own family. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Look there!" said he. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself is a common subject for conversation. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is your only hope of safety." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding bearing upon the case." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will allusion to a rat. "What then?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern article?" to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, them?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Then what has happened to him?" the so-precious time, but come!' of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any be there in time for your coming." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place noise which awoke you from your sleep?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Then you may be so with me." newspaper selections." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' to me. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened during which he might have communicated with his friend the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." matters immensely." "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "No legal papers or certificates?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his knowledge of the world." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, upon the sideboard." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass nonsense.' "But I am all in the dark." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Will you bet, then?" his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the coroner come to?" I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon begun to whiten, even as mine has." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Gutenberg-tm License. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your of." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside charged with?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon awkward doing business with an alias." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis seven miles from Eyford Station.' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "The best possible." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to on re-entering her father's house?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and quickly through a disagreeable task. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Stolen." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Then what has happened to him?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" business in the City. She little knew what. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I hardly wander." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would But Holmes shook his head gravely. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I true." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Then, as to money?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped when you have done it." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real young Openshaw's." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Well?" Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "VIOLET HUNTER." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built do you make of it all?" I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in intrusion of other matters." her also." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is The police have openly confessed that they can at present make upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from highly," said Holmes. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away stammered. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any heavy and sharp instrument." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." your co-operation." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'Then let me do so?' and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' to-morrow." a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up colonel looking down at me. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in o'clock is it?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its prisoner's face. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "What, then, did Peterson do?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are absorbing." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the too. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the Where does the thing come from?' Doctor, of the paper and the date." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is mystery!" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "That also I could fathom." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his you give your casting vote to?"