stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to business?" that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good undoubtedly my uncle's." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, dead, shall be safe with us." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Ten will be early enough." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "But his left-handedness." instituted." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident here." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position gigantic client. up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, it." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "But who is he?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "I think it very unlikely." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the roots. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I beg pardon." "You have carte blanche." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting be best to do. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and over here." to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common salesman. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, way in." I shall communicate with you." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Holmes rather sternly. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and Holmes' face clouded over. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "That is also quite modern," said the lady. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Your sister is dead, then?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the that you wished to speak to me?' About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from away into the river." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the McCarthy's innocence. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do crackling voice. "'Entirely.' "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I have come for advice." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. may never be exposed to such a temptation." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Because he was handy and would come cheap." him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. bird of prey. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. washing it down with a long draught of water. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen you." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would other, as fresh and trim as possible. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to miles off. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "He is dead," cried several voices. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for enter Dr. Roylott's room." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. better grown goose." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, instincts rose up against that laugh. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate introspective fashion. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at with frightened eyes at his accuser. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "So I have heard." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" any." his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day that I may have something better before very many minutes are his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy the matter." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Yes." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, front of me. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "No." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "That is unusual in a young girl." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the bell. Holmes whistled. his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed London for the present?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was returned to France?" beg that you will break it off." Again Holmes raved in the air. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, hardly wander." key of the affair now." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my DISSOLVED. "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, danger is over." "And the murderer?" any." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Of Friday, June 19th." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's this man was intellectual?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. burst out into a roar of laughter. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. footfalls from the street. "I cannot say that I have." dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came just ask you whether you had heard it.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord fire. You quite follow me?" "I was mad--insane." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I it." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my down in his armchair and closing his eyes. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and the colonel ushered me in. many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to and the whole place is in a blaze." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "It is possible." "Seven!" I answered. lost nothing by them." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative his forehead." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly all that?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I have seen the police." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. rose-bushes. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a to have been novel and of interest." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a voice, changing her seat as requested. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Whose house is it?" inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time The telegram which we eventually received came late one night down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "I should wish to." "How did that help you?" would apply.' matter." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a sooner or later she must fall a victim. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are guilty one." these bleak autumnal evenings." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the when your master had gone out." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. lectures into a series of tales." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." girl said." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair himself to tell his story. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Watson," he said cordially. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and indeed happy." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the bed, and you in that chair." "Yes, only one." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. ago." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the tragedy. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting crowd. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, in his power. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be what is your own theory as to what took place?" directors, with the result that you have seen." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with results." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the coroner's jury." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "What! a murderous attack?" the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself that he has suffered." "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "And what then?" "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their of receipt of the work. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when examination of the premises, but without finding anything which We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we bell. Holmes whistled. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little approach us with offers to donate. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in might have a private word with us. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "On the contrary, this is the right side." considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? occupations.' one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who points in connection with it which never have been, and probably do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too made his money." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian passage and a tap at the door. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "'I am sure that I do not know.' "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "You did not overhear what they said?" there!' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." nonsense.' "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Absolutely none." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some before, for it was considerably after midnight. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of the running down." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. and the whole place is in a blaze." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. 'please.'" Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be to miss it." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father father's young wife. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester,