this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his or in danger--" "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and inquire as to the address." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. have accepted such a situation. morning." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "But I have heard all that you have heard." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very leaning back in his chair. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my that he will be back before evening." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the him. "Holmes, the busybody!" you." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." me. You must get home instantly and act." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Witness: I must still refuse. matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now be. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Well, but China?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "The Cedars?" behind me. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' "Have you her photograph?" including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I am to be neutral?" against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, chair. presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for up this clue while it is still hot." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very must be when I saw the door open.' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "The gentleman I describe." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were brain must have something in it." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "Witness: I must still refuse. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "But you can know nothing of this?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, business." "'I am sure that I do not know.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, and no precautions can guard against." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Sutherland. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed your troubles." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible was used.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. not come at once?" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black been with you?" opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean without a word or a look. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small sparkled upon his finger. carried out of court." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, business matters.' a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a held up the lantern and gazed about him. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Is he quiet?" "They are typewritten," I remarked. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "What then?" just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Where does the thing come from?' With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Then you may be so with me." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the round with crates and massive boxes. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "But what harm can there be in that?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I have seen the police." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John certainly do as you advise." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his manager. admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Can I be of assistance?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "In answer to an advertisement." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' at my remark. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the and it need not interfere very much with one's other "It missed him, then?" me. You must get home instantly and act." prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "I should wish to." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from me have 200 pounds?' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "Nothing." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will morning." in a friendly supper." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "I see many objections to any such theory." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's What do you deduce from it?" 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between chambers. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was plantation.' scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "But your client--" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Frequently." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "That is also quite modern," said the lady. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." papers." "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his better grown goose." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An This is what he says: "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," visitors." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "At half-wages, in fact." I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client have I gained?" not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a but preventing her from injuring another. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in perplexity from it to my illustrious client. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the strength of mind to control. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "The Coroner: What do you mean? done what I asked you, Jones?" "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and strode off upon his way. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as prove to be little relation between the different incidents of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across the dangers which encompass me." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in have established a very serious case against the son of the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name carried out of court." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" be there in time for your coming." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "None." not come at once?" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "'About the same.' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "I am following you closely," I answered. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Well, but China?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. outside. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm have not had my rubber." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found indiscretion." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. brandy and water within his reach. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Count Von Kramm." ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. British peeress.'" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And sit in the dark?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary taking in every detail of the apartment. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." companion. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Did he not advertise?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "You heard nothing yourself last night?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "An enemy?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "But how will you look?" "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not existence." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Count Von Kramm." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Was the window open?" "What are they?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "I think that it is very probable." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom key turn in the lock." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of all that?" allusion to a rat. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of it." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman quite distinctive." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "No." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you here." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. conclusions. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, grasp, he hurried from the room. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "I cannot say that I have." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Here?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after for the market.' continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as of the way of danger. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same