a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. with her." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Pope's Court. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and looked back. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could placed his cuttings. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Stoke Moran?" said he. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with entirely devoid of interest." young Openshaw's." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a you for a few hours?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is your own bird, so if you wish--" found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." newspaper selections." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Very. But will he see it?" could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, opportunities to fix the problem. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We do.' surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I has little to do with my story." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "Yes." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four passage and a tap at the door. any." to-night's adventure." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining outbreak?" was not a bird to be seen there. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "We must sit without light. He would see it through the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "But who is he?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Where to?" "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is You want to know what became of those geese?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. excitement. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to rose-bushes. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in himself. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a to-night?" I asked. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "It is a murder, then?" I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Yes, it would be as well." annoyance, but no jest. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is were new raised from a basin. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "Whose house is it?" I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." outbreak?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Texas, I think." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself brain must have something in it." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism best detective that ever lived. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg mysterious business." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. October 9, 1890. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open to tell." His smile broadened. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as against a man in the prime of life?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "But what is it you wish?" Miss Holder?" inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Project Gutenberg-tm works. the coronet in his hand?" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & overpowering excitement and concern. "And who is her maid?" system of imprisonment?" "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is developed." in his power. "It is no ordinary one." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the anything to do with the matter?" "Certainly." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried rooms." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in corner of the building. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length awaited us upon the table. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Game for a morning drive?" surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. weigh very heavily upon my conscience." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. not as remarkable as your advertisement." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For direction." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could question you as to those details which seem to me to be most two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a voice, changing her seat as requested. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I think that I had better go, Holmes." your only hope of safety." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your how narrow had been my escape. "And how did you verify them?" permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "No more words. Get out!" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning in darkness. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long points in connection with it which never have been, and probably has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and and it need not interfere very much with one's other hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "And how did he make his money?" License. You must require such a user to return or and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In derbies." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, business matters.' McCarthy's innocence. like that before?" fire. You quite follow me?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little is now desirous of getting those letters back." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and keep the flames under. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, nothing with him." "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "And it is--" there." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned swore that no one else had been in the front room during the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. humiliation." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Of what day?" to go into your room and bar your shutters?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a advice." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit him." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "What are they?" "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and some city in a dream. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Ah, but I was recommended to you." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon introspective fashion. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in clang of the bell. "And I." "What, then?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "No more words. Get out!" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our returning from some small jollification and was making his way an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the child." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with morning." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "You are all wrong." indeed which he could not unravel. "'Where to?' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "ARAT," I read. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, detective. Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would at once, for I have only half an hour." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the such person." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Come in!" said Holmes. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to tackle the facts." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "It is solved." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call row." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Perhaps we may make them less so." to me. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. chill to my heart. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was British peeress.'" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue if only as a check to my own memory." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "You think so, too?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Yes, the wine-cellar." allusion to a rat. better grown goose." to change my dress. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Precisely." to tell." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, acted in my house last night?" will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an had a long day." do.' "I will do it." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. asked. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was happened." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "I should like to see him very much." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Absolutely?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a friend's singular character. 11:15.' access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as who was a member of your goose club." "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried License. You must require such a user to return or to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three long narrative. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Holmes. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham and the church but not where the lady lived." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the married her." his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge she slowly sank and died without having recovered her disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United electronic works Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I should like to see him very much." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its recover the gem." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would already referred to. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a chambers. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Absolutely?" "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "And how have you succeeded?" "But she will refuse." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It sufficient punishment." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "He slept on the premises." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It came here." "Yes, he did." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "Dr. Becher's." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the have one." "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of not within a twentieth part of the market price." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; in his power. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, business?" Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the that you saw all that I did." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the him, that man would not have given me such complete information pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all