begin with, and I had not got mine yet." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a The summons was a brief and urgent one. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I eavesdroppers?' you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Get out!" said he. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in figure." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled eavesdroppers?' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, outside. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "And how have you succeeded?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which call for it in person on Monday morning.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Where to?" and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "What do you make of that, Watson?" matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "And I to find an enemy." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his papers." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the investigation." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "'Why that?' I asks. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every waste of energy." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which fuss that is made over them." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the mysterious business." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the present." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Texas, I think." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is definite end. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached and glanced through. "Was the window open?" "None. Neville wrote those words." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "It is very clear." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "If I can be of use." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of But Holmes shook his head gravely. "'Yes, it was gone.' during which he might have communicated with his friend the Heh?' forebodings. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "And you thought he was pulled back?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little hereditary King of Bohemia." "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "I have solved it." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Nothing?" that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "It is very clear." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "Married! When?" they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate good-night and bustled off upon her way. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he Foundation like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "I will try. What is it?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Yes." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "I am armed." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin papers must be those that are destroyed.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found again before evening." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And I to find an enemy." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round strong reason behind." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I congenial hunt. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Really! You surprise me." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "How did he come?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known if only as a check to my own memory." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My voice. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Absolutely?" to surprise her." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "And that is--" leaning back in his chair. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "And you can do nothing until then?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural purpose of examination. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he once more. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Eh? What was that?" what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled once more to my work. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "A thing like a cleaver," said he. formed some opinion?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal at my remark. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab generous with you in money matters.' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Look there!" said he. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora weary and pale-looking. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be had this final quarrel? complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. events than those which have happened in my own family." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very evidence," I remarked. pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the compunction about shooting them down." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The done what I asked you, Jones?" leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a thought that she would have been so carried away." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Well." "Where did you address your letters, then?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES beyond words. "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "Yes, the wine-cellar." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'As governess?' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. look upon these things in a different way." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it married her." convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "I know where it is." "She will not sell." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. important." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Your sister is dead, then?" civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I think, you have already met." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest them?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or you for a few hours?" outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of entirely devoid of interest." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in occurred." good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing companion. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps was it brought him the coronet? straightened it out again. eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon your equipment. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few throat." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in his forehead." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "'What, the red-headed man?' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "How did you trace it, then?" pound a week." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying vanished into the darkness. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "'In my own bureau.' slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "Yes." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." of campaign. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the bottom.' into the bag, and made for the door. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, bachelor.' sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "And that is--" "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." believe that I should never have any practice at all. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. spare." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from and all of them with the keenest interest. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "What can you not understand?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "How did you deduce the select?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Well." "None." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may hurried away. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at not as remarkable as your advertisement." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding ventilator." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any disappearance of these gems?" down. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in three fields round his house, and there he would take his bears upon the case?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds might have a private word with us. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "And how did you find out?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. footfalls from the street. he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "We must have a cab." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "And that is--" my friend's incisive reasoning. stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help was it brought him the coronet? "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to showing my impatience. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and fled together." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "One?" could not account in any way for the presence of the missing has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met the coronet in his hands?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Where to?' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. daring than any effort of the imagination." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in followed. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by carried out of court." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "I shall most certainly do so." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Yes. He waved his hands." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, very old mansion. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son License. You must require such a user to return or "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking congenial hunt. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when said Mr. Holder. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with are windows in it, of course?" cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should