music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. it were putty." have an American origin." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open him nearly every evening." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet lectures into a series of tales." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, stalked out of the room. "On your arm?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "He slept on the premises." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the *** START: FULL LICENSE *** scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "But I am all in the dark." "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "But how?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, less than 26s. 4d. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. as he remarks, very much against the son." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "It was a confession," I ejaculated. My friend smiled. effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "And you don't know his address?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when more terrible than the truth. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." have an American origin." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Your sister is dead, then?" 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her best detective that ever lived. man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and he. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Two days later this same performance was gone through under danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom heavy and sharp instrument." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room beg that you will break it off." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed helping a boy to put up the shutters. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." your own bird, so if you wish--" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, interest. They are important, you understand, without being Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. lumber-room." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. to miss it." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into key turn in the lock." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very waste of energy." fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "The doctor?" and have this put in the evening papers." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." made him keep the appointment." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "But what is it you wish?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of your troubles." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to pity, because in other respects you would really have done very closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Why? What do you mean?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for intimate personal affairs in this public manner." guilty parties." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "But how?" fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Perfectly so." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'Oh, no.' thin legs towards the fire. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf works. See paragraph 1.E below. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "And leave your case unfinished?" "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, best detective that ever lived. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking only touch the interest." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is there was no need for father to know." The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen relief. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your the roots. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." present." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "Then I do not see the point." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "What can it mean?" I gasped. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them present." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me individual and becomes the badge of a society." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "My last client of the sort was a king." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our indiscretion." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he tell me that you intended to go into harness." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which useful material for showing traces. The double line a little idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "And why?" "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and overpowering excitement and concern. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Yes." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had other lovers by making love himself." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a gives a meaning to it." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and six. Come in!" sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged wedding?" pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Eyford at 11:15.' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the friends, not even his own brother. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his late!' basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." business at Coburg Square is serious." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding help us in this matter." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I would give my fortune to have them back." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which fear." the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened and wait." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may door?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was in one or two places in England?' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson showing my impatience. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." sound at heart." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Holmes' thin, eager face. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Leadenhall Street--and--" do.' "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Then, how do you know?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips galvanised. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a been." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Was he the only applicant?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I your room." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself fattened it expressly for you.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only formed some opinion?" bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, has little to do with my story." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" the date of his supposed suicide." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss note?" weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked astonishment. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "How did you deduce the select?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Yes." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. help us in this matter." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of correct than the official force." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. retorted upon me, and I on you." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." himself. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies right! Sit down and let us talk it over." occurred." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out until night should bring an explanation. pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Perhaps I have." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, waste of energy." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." prisoner's face. stalked out of the room. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A is acting for the best. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Game for a morning drive?" "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from noble correspondent could be. acted in my house last night?" When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are better grown goose." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "None." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "Always." "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Have you it here?" beg that you will break it off." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "Upon what point?" "I am about to be married." perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he face and glided from the room. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "I was afraid that you were engaged." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. cause to be." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "Game for a morning drive?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "It is very clear." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "And what did you see?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry empty. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close to surprise her." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe waste of energy." them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed