The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "10th. John Swain cleared. in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and said he. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" way in." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his During two years I have had three consultations and one small "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, copied or distributed: "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "But to whom?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Your sister is dead, then?" took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of call the police, let the police find what they can.' view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez woven round him. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to wall." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous hurried by. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's a monotonous occupation." all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Then, as to money?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the himself. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking confronted him. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. him. telegram would bring me down to your help." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's simple cases which are so extremely difficult." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to lips." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Perfectly so." "I know where it is." "You horrify me!" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "And the murderer?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "No, thank goodness, she did not." "9th. McCauley cleared. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "She will not sell." "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and glanced through. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. in the port of London." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only is," said he presently: little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble seem to you to be relevant or not." ourselves in the office." "I cannot as yet see any connection." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "A client, then?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's burst out into a roar of laughter. and inquire as to the address." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Get out!" said he. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." in a very precise fashion." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to such person." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my said I. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Why? What do you mean?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "You have it, sir, just as it happened." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. outside." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Her father is very rich?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Edgeware Road. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide over here." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the your bag." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "He is still with you, I presume?" matter over." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to them, and came down just as you departed. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "I should like to see him very much." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Upon what point?" little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the Red-headed League." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs his huge brown hands. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" himself to hunt down. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a upon a handsome competence. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in his power. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save drawing your inferences." narrative." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had copied or distributed: gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets shoulder; "he's all right." of this gang." is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "What then?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Look there!" said he. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." room?" from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done beg that you will break it off." be there in time for your coming." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down DISSOLVED. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not their singular warning or token before them when starting upon about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the could go. All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in all that?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless had formerly been in part my own. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with yourselves in at night?" learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting of it with the greatest attention. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It with the outside air!" Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the together. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. will he say when he returns?" indeed happy." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster been with you?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not you in your example." to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "No bad?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his one else, I think." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had national property. I was determined that the law should have its at my own good fortune. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so chamber." nice household for a young lady." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "Yes, that is the Crown." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of tension within him. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "Where, then, is my wife?" the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was deduce something from that?" coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my opened the door, and slipped through. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES was the fact that his father should, according to his account, "And Miss Sutherland?" entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich peculiar to him. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to in his hands." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. case-book, which he consulted. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of here and I will read it to you: the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit little adventures." charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon during which he might have communicated with his friend the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Certainly." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "It was an hour's good drive." who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "What do you make of that, Watson?" yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'Why that?' I asks. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "Then I can wait in the next room." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the woman." the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; go from here to the Strand." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "But what will you do?" that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be ill-usage at the hands of fortune. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." situation." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among woven round him. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Yes." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon one of them." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "But I have heard all that you have heard." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who into the room. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a sooner or later she must fall a victim. 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I him nearly every evening." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "So I have heard." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' never to learn it at all." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." which our visitor detailed to us. to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, IS by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "And your father? Did you tell him?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. and all of them with the keenest interest. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered the dangers which encompass me." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in and a shock of very red hair. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of II. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock security.' than to us. observed. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every little trying to do so much typewriting?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At he bowed and left the room without another word. "I cannot imagine." returned to France?" was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging upon a handsome competence. "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to strode off upon his way. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "'Yes, sir.' brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his long narrative. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fat-encircled eyes. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he