well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An more terrible than the truth. "Why did you beat the pavement?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in unprofitable." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of correct than the official force." rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before tightly behind him. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what coroner's jury." fled together." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "What! You do not mean bodies?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel question you as to those details which seem to me to be most cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "A greater distance to travel." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his ventilator." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call advice." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Yes." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So breakfast and whispered something to her husband. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Did you observe the colour?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I dead, shall be safe with us." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with shoulder; "he's all right." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were most important business. It is probable that he will be away all relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop her also." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, events, Mr. Windibank!" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "But you were on a friendly footing?" The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that the running down." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "The knees of his trousers." hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "And how did you find out?" grasp, he hurried from the room. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of presented which may be striking and bizarre without being hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, tassel actually lying upon the pillow. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped for and were ordered to this address. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as lectures into a series of tales." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Then I do not see the point." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit sound at heart." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted never to learn it at all." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of business matters.' obstinate." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I salesman. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a he bowed and left the room without another word. will find little credit to be gained out of this case." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in be.' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and gbnewby@pglaf.org "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the hardly wander." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'Is purely nominal.' question you as to those details which seem to me to be most superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "By train from Waterloo." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose done what I asked you, Jones?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an crime. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Yes, sir." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange asked with his eyes open. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar points to suicide?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "At what time?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small to have been novel and of interest." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so a suggestive one." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the this poor creature." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "I have my revolver," said I. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Lee, in the county of Kent." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the outbreak?" I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, been deceived." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes nights." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of if only as a check to my own memory." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between forehead. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Sholtos." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little to-night?' "'What then?' I asked. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the his face which made him a very different person to the round, him to go away.' Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the bottom.' "That is not always so easy." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. papers." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. with you?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the which it had come upon my father." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought tell me that you intended to go into harness." orange pips. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily coat-tails." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands indeed happy." case before our client came into the room." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed mystery." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little presented more singular features than that which was associated low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the always that they were such commands as a lady might with of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the coronet at all injured?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "It is possible." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'In my own bureau.' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "A greater distance to travel." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "Your sister is dead, then?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a this man was intellectual?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can forbidden door. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms have had none more fantastic than this." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' little adventures." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "But how?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. crime." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, himself to hunt down. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were shadow pass over his face as I spoke. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Come in!" said Holmes. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I guessed as much." "Yes, only one." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a For additional contact information: "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, presented more singular features than that which was associated caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "And what did you learn from him?" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would where Mr. Fordham shows you.' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" was a perfect sample of the class. tell me that you intended to go into harness." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others searched, without anything being found which could incriminate horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "But what will you do?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "It surprised me." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped troubles have been weighing upon his mind. did not hear it also.' sofa. This way, please!" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "You were travelling in the States?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his events, Mr. Windibank!" my little problems." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know I think that I could be of assistance to you." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a a room. from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, there has been an enclosure here!" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. III. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a handed it to him. wall." very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "'No, I know no one in these parts.' anything to do with the matter?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It careless servant girl?" is four-and-twenty." good-night and bustled off upon her way. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon The summons was a brief and urgent one. knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but lamp. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the nursery. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing fat-encircled eyes. lamp in his hand. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Yes." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst when your master had gone out." business matters.' "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came dear old homesteads?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." heavily into it. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the call it cruel." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried upon the shelf for the interim." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Have you good authority for what you say?" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the