"From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of flock.' upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two is," said he presently: nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "No." "I cannot imagine." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this standing smiling on the door-step. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an hopeless attempt at recovering them." have established a very serious case against the son of the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Then, how do you know?" "Of what day?" pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall galvanised. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the ceiling. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the one as in the other." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "The knees of his trousers." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "You have carte blanche." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square or in danger--" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "But to whom?" We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in know what is wrong with it.' own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the matter." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some anything to a woman, for she would have her way." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "I was sure that I might rely on you." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Then, how do you know?" scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." this Miss Turner." "Game for a morning drive?" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should followed. effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a in darkness. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "I was certainly surprised to find you there." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt purpose of examination. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, made him keep the appointment." "Witness: It was. "But I have heard all that you have heard." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "By no means." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." presented more singular features than that which was associated Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." putting in the horse. sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "What steps will you take?" I asked. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a American. Then who could this American be, and why should he pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if of the efforts of the United States government and of the better whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his of the efforts of the United States government and of the better took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I know where it is." trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I have come for advice." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. security.' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "None." joking. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled security.' brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I cannot imagine." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we whereabouts. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Quite sure, dad.' beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to may have an influence upon European history." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "What then?" the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to recall any case within my experience which looked at the first solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and to-night's adventure." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Have you it here?" his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped dates and names. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not plantation.' in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. who was a member of your goose club." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself in my life." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Yes." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Was your sister dressed?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "It is a murder, then?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Sholtos." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of happened." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I desk. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. question," said Holmes, smiling. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his the armchair which I pushed forward for him. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and the south-west, I see." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is are windows in it, of course?" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "No, thank goodness, she did not." happened." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "You horrify me!" however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing telegram would bring me down to your help." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" gbnewby@pglaf.org clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away he bowed and left the room without another word. "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" father's young wife. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Well." "What I expected to see." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "But you were on a friendly footing?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be relation between them, and what the object of his repeated even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had chair. John Swain, of St. Augustine. "What shall I do?" rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "How about poison?" "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." you." the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for leave you to your papers for a little." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, hurried away. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated all-comprehensive glances. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important to have been novel and of interest." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my said he. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "What can you not understand?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly right! Sit down and let us talk it over." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it dear old homesteads?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss of campaign. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "'Yes, I promise.' some city in a dream. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another gigantic client. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would down from London to inquire more deeply into it." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and families. Now for the facts. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an my special province." gone before you can get him to hospital." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "My dear Holmes!" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a be. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that other means.' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I straightened it out again. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Perfectly so." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "The landlord of the Alpha." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and as noiselessly as she had come. The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "No?" sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with gbnewby@pglaf.org minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost is four-and-twenty." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever that there was nothing in it, after all." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Yes." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "In San Francisco, a year ago." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I spark where all is dark to me." "No?" residence of the great financier. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the could not have written that. It is the German who is so Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "But his left-handedness." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very are windows in it, of course?" man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon searched, without anything being found which could incriminate point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right absolutely follow my advice in every respect." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very existence." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that swore that no one else had been in the front room during the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed your Highness to the police-station?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well excitement. India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "In San Francisco, a year ago." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "What then?" right! Sit down and let us talk it over." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she papers on the sundial.'" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater minor matters until to-morrow." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him your bag." "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some bill, which interests me deeply." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "It was." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I have hopes." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a keep the flames under. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "In heaven's name, what for?" husband's writing, madam." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the who was a member of your goose club." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and details." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will there has been an enclosure here!" "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should amused." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open chambers. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "On the contrary, this is the right side." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever