breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and I shall be with you presently." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could leave you to your papers for a little." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, the address that was given us in the advertisement. business came to an end." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and which we had just quitted. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down Farm upon the left." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. on in his house." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "I think that it is very probable." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "My photograph." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he than to us. determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the copied or distributed: of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." the address that was given us in the advertisement. constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be could not have written that. It is the German who is so also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. laugh and put his lips to my ear. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Then the page we have seen--" Mrs. Toller serenely. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "But to whom?" been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my considering the formidable letters which were received by himself garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "I say that I have solved it." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "An enemy?" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Well, some hundreds of times." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" trifles." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year to Leatherhead. wall." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, horse could go." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet point in the dark hollow of his hand. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I main points of my analysis." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "No." crowd. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it asked. him. events than those which have happened in my own family." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "No?" disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by answer." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Yes, I have one waiting." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, drove away. didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by mystery!" man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the something of him before." "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Where is it, then?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. which should have the effect of calling the attention of the copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the charged with?" "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are fat-encircled eyes. as this. Pray let me have the details." derbies." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Quite so." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "The best possible." address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I cannot as yet see any connection." served to weaken the effect. "Then how many are there?" column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian figure." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. in him." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all From what you have told me I think that it is possible that business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. directly by questioning you." wedding?" "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some families. Now for the facts. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the Red-headed League." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage to have been novel and of interest." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Dirty?" crime." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "That was it, sir." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his colour had been driven from his face. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us him, that man would not have given me such complete information brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "He said that you could solve anything." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, delighted to hear it," he said. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, of." not, dad?" she asked. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to detained." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and fatally injured? of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you Dr. Gregory B. Newby up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you and effective." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; new duties?' rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, obstinate." "Proceed, then." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and dramatic, in fact." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "I don't say that. Perhaps." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "What is it, then--a fire?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." future lives." existence." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Eyford at 11:15.' your equipment. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "9th. McCauley cleared. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to pictures, libraries, or plate. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Then, as to money?" coroner's jury." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a seven miles from Eyford Station.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years residence of the great financier. and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished to some other building. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to trying to your nerves." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "And I to find an enemy." you understand?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" mysterious business." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his obstinate." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his too. is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a of this gang." she might be summoned. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you prison!" "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police depend upon your compliance." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the it. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "The landlord of the Alpha." this unhappy family?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and such person." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who cause to be." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Deserted you?" "I don't say that. Perhaps." writers could invent nothing more crude." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "How many? I don't know." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might client, rising. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'Entirely.' layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." carriage. It was a chestnut." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is to take care of herself." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "Did he not advertise?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite Holmes." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Yes." our word." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation begun to whiten, even as mine has." points to suicide?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the Friday. Was it to be in church?" I leave." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Well." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten Sutherland?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "At half-wages, in fact." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been daring than any effort of the imagination." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "It missed him, then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking think that he is innocent?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Edgeware Road. like that before?" When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'What, the red-headed man?' in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Not in the least." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "But he might be a bachelor." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "'Certainly,' I answered. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look throat." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "That was it, sir." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the closely." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to with her." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building together. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat