about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke third from London." and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a in darkness. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of and the whole place is in a blaze." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he an introduction to him?" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a made his money." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email extraordinary contortions. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he one or two very singular points about this room. For example, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "At half-wages, in fact." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior experiences." that I am arrested." arrangements." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I came to find a friend." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The entirely lost his self-respect." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we success. "In heaven's name, what for?" "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked certainly not very gracious." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed will find little credit to be gained out of this case." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, towards the blaze. once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "And when will you call?" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the coronet in his hands?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call like that before?" not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." fire. You quite follow me?" of them has the shutters up.' the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people said he at last. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in fatally injured? "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything been." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "And for present expenses?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H written. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "It looks newer than the other things?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after better in every way that they should make their position a little stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent bird of prey. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Yes, it was gone.' "So I heard. You have him here?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Whose house is it?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to official police." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in some terrible trap for her." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your questionable one." my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "It is true that I have been generally successful." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "A call for help, you thought?" "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Mary, has deserted me." "How did you trace it, then?" an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you observed. any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since introspective fashion. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have business." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "You have the photograph?" all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the name is different." "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport directors have had misgivings upon the subject." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking present." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike quick march!" entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very this Miss Turner." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. papers on the sundial.'" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent happened." "No more words. Get out!" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For disappearance of the bride.'" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "You saw the ventilator, too?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very once more to my work. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the it." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "It is possible." papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I very morning of my second wedding." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the bachelor.' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and few hundred pounds.' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the peculiar to him. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, other lovers by making love himself." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "My dear Holmes!" stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "But what is it you wish?" room had already been engaged for us. months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "'Why that?' I asks. "He disappeared so suddenly." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "Did he not advertise?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we have not had my rubber." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number from you?" "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "That you are never beaten." system of imprisonment?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Yesterday." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were since then to throw any light upon what became of him." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of locked." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss felt the room to be a little close.' Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few new duties?' "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "'Certainly not.' points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "And the cigar-holder?" some city in a dream. Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "It looks newer than the other things?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "I will, Miss Turner." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for felt?" "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch crowd. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, security.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he way in." "I see no marks." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. the matter?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. posted to-day." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "'You cannot say what it was?' putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in other, as fresh and trim as possible. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry point in the dark hollow of his hand. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That begin with, and I had not got mine yet." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have yet." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Holmes. gives a meaning to it." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "I see no marks." did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his Holmes' face clouded over. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of during that time.' Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' anything to do with the matter?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret fluttered off among the others. Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at people don't know." "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. constraint." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'Never.' "Your presence might be invaluable." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any outside. legal crime." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "On your arm?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can one's self under obligations.' cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the she used." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud whether it answered to the description of any of their Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." photograph?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "No, I think that I'll take it." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, up this clue while it is still hot." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel bears upon the case?" "I will do it." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the fatally injured? with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle yourselves in at night?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" ready to-morrow?' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared furiously. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the business." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and I shall be with you presently." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Why? What do you mean?" face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Yes." "I cannot think." official police." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Yes." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an three fields round his house, and there he would take his exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: main points of my analysis." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the him, that man would not have given me such complete information shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, best detective that ever lived. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you long narrative. mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I of fine shops and stately business premises that they really something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I think that any burglar could have done. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of way in." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "'It is locked up,' I answered. his face which made him a very different person to the round, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, works. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I don't say that. Perhaps." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself had picked up in the wood. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," appointment with me for six o'clock?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "My last client of the sort was a king." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable