"'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "Pray be precise as to details," said he. astonishment. more terrible than the truth. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, obstinate." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the date of his supposed suicide." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the bell. Holmes whistled. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Come in!" said he. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight past. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was village inn over there?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "VIOLET HUNTER." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "But of what society?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' out." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "Well, it is a possible supposition." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "I see many objections to any such theory." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went money should be paid at once.' credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too retorted upon me, and I on you." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove fattened it expressly for you.' "Because he was handy and would come cheap." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Your sister is dead, then?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Have you her photograph?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss copied or distributed: is a common subject for conversation. I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Not in a good cause." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "I think that it is very probable." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar are, I think, all that we need." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "How about poison?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the bed, and you in that chair." to arrive at through this?" "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "Which surely he restored to their owner?" was already answered. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the that I can to serve you." "'And what salary do you ask?' The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their important." possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger "The landlord of the Alpha." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the companion quietly. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "'Never,' said I. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the devil!" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as highly," said Holmes. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I was lame." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an of them has the shutters up.' on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'What would be the hours?' I asked. a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "I shall be delighted." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "My dear Holmes!" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. without a word or a look. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'Certainly not.' Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "Yes, there are nearly always some there." fire. You quite follow me?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the dangers which encompass me." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little excitement. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And when will you call?" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked formed some opinion?" shall not find me ungrateful." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you he bowed and left the room without another word. while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, correct than the official force." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" confronted him. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "We must have a cab." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Has he come with you to-night?" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in together. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. directors, with the result that you have seen." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? possible that we could bring him back to her? commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy troubles have been weighing upon his mind. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Mary, has deserted me." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me our word." "You think that he is dead?" doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at extraordinary contortions. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done tell him that I know him to be innocent." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for vault. asked. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a that I am arrested." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "I have come for advice." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable all?" "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "And sit in the dark?" I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. business." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel one of the states of the Union." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" him and tried to hold him back. eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, coat-tails." sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the so.' "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I that, and I came down." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Why? What do you mean?" but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it tail." it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the peculiar to him. vague figure huddled up in the darkness. gigantic client. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their John Swain, of St. Augustine. caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which Clair, of Lee." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "What then?" drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "No, distinctly professional." "You horrify me." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." yet." waste of energy." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his case before our client came into the room." "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." carriage. It was a chestnut." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some the warnings." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said here and I will read it to you: his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, his cane at the bell-pull. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." prison!" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "So I have heard." without success. At last the little money which I had saved began long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you chill to my heart. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Where is it, then?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, what these perils are?" to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "'Where to?' ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than in the port of London." "'It is locked up,' I answered. highly," said Holmes. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste front of me. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." both be extremely obliged.' Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I Chief Executive and Director "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As Surrey." once more for Briony Lodge. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us bears upon the case?" village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us your sleep?' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Pray tell us what has happened to you." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a paper in the air. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "And now?" He raised his hand. possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over morning." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should cigar and let me expound." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I this unhappy family?" "My private note-paper." "I cannot tell." little adventures." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers villagers almost as much as their master. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the recover the gem." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Do you go out much in society?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, this as likely?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I beg pardon." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Never.' posted to-day." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You lumber-room." and have this put in the evening papers." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "I am to be neutral?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging woman who has had her own way to make in the world. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The said he. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of is four-and-twenty." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Oh, the cause is excellent!" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES