It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "No bad?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the children over to America with him, so that I found myself without that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we over with notes and figures. lamp. hour?' important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "There are none." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Frequently." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice chance at all." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "It must be recovered." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "You are all wrong." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Have you good authority for what you say?" who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate at my remark. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness chance." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." correct than the official force." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we will be renamed. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." do." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "Nothing." where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "I see no marks." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the have established a very serious case against the son of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten searched, without anything being found which could incriminate humiliation." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, murdered man." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, fashion which was peculiar to him. "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the inner apartment." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and was a lad." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong bell. Holmes whistled. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small some place of shelter and let the county police know what has the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Absolutely?" dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. husband's writing, madam." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I character. "In heaven's name, what for?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "You think so, too?" stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "Yes." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "I should be immensely obliged to you." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. remarked. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "But of what society?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily sooner or later she must fall a victim. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up nice household for a young lady." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake directors have had misgivings upon the subject." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you other lovers by making love himself." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any lost his Christmas dinner." "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." gone. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and made his money." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "It is his hat." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The washing it down with a long draught of water. "It's nothing of the kind." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just carried out of court." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be From what you have told me I think that it is possible that people in all walks of life. remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" way in." there when the Rucastles went away." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Ample." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news page at http://pglaf.org single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "But how?" brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, discontent upon his features. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could have accepted such a situation. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with about. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the said I. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "How many? I don't know." hopeless attempt at recovering them." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Ten will be early enough." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of some mystery and the punishment of some crime." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "You are certainly joking, Holmes." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending ashen face. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with voice. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. thirty. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay developed." is acting for the best. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant your bag." it were putty." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "He slept on the premises." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I could gather together that I was able to avert another public occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong about here speaks of his kindness to him." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical the little opening for the ventilator is." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend bled considerably." have not had my rubber." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." signal between you and your father? broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very place no limit on the sum I may draw." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that Gutenberg-tm License. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." help us in this matter." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there obstinate." "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "And the murderer?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "And your mother is alive?" more solid." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Yes, that is the Crown." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made there were one or two details which were new to me. But the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "What steps will you take?" I asked. we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on over part of the map. "What do you read?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away subject to the trademark license, especially commercial maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose straighten it?" but preventing her from injuring another. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "No, I am descending." "But who is he?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the me what he had done with the three missing stones. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "What is it, then--a fire?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My in a very precise fashion." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the one as in the other." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have fact, we may call it conclusive." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I bachelor.' really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and was a perfect sample of the class. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Well." "Here?" done what I asked you, Jones?" "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped London for the present?" "'What do you call purely nominal?' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle copied or distributed: "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your intimate personal affairs in this public manner." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "And is that all?" very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "In which, sir?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the for its centre. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Dark enough and sinister enough." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at as he remarks, very much against the son." "I should be immensely obliged to you." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with hurried away. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the noble correspondent could be. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would perplexity from it to my illustrious client. meant." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a maid will bring up your coffee." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'Is purely nominal.' Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you village inn over there?" your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Dr. Gregory B. Newby anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety I am not easy in my mind about them." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done whole matter to your consideration." "And from a noble client?" card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "Pray do so." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which intrusion of other matters." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It is solved." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater notes," he said. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I warn you that they are very incomplete." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "But I am all in the dark." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come lost his Christmas dinner." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, his grey eyes. statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came less than 26s. 4d. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "ARAT," I read. what these perils are?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "What! You do not mean bodies?" much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside than to us. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was back to my heart. and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Munro.' the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my least a most suspicious remark." His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "VIOLET HUNTER." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "Yes." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was into the bag, and made for the door. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'Certainly not.' perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not shaken than I had ever seen him. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable goes." reach." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my page at http://pglaf.org pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "But I am all in the dark." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the whether it answered to the description of any of their gone. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom