Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns that before taking the final step I should like to submit the I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "It came here." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do at my own good fortune. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them the dangers which encompass me." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" his forehead." Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we already referred to. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "And now?" He raised his hand. me upon any point which I do not make clear." house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very his knees, staring into the fire. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Is he quiet?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." her also." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "You'll never persuade me to believe that." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, it were putty." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a letters?" that of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security experiences." combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Will you bet, then?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "I would pay ten." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the business?" carried out of court." "It was an hour's good drive." rooms." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously corner of the building. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. ways of our fellow-men." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, written. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. strode off upon his way. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'Stolen!' he cried. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing could gather together that I was able to avert another public "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." I nodded again. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice that he has suffered." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she bill, which interests me deeply." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And sit in the dark?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's impression behind it as though a window had gently closed events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the nursery. Holmes' face clouded over. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "What have you to say now?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit absorbing." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the drove away. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over that the gas is not laid on in his house?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his thought that she would have been so carried away." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the loss of it. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Witness: Nothing definite. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "It is no ordinary one." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I cannot say that I have." over with notes and figures. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at and laid it on the table. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. your co-operation." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it recover the gem." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "VIOLET HUNTER." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the client, rising. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what is," said he presently: for securing the situation." whereabouts. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Holmes rather sternly. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of My friend smiled. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "If I can be of use." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "And who is her maid?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "But your client--" the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." himself to hunt down. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the six. Come in!" electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "What steps will you take?" I asked. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "I do." searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." recover the gem." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in my life." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "And I to find an enemy." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "But I am all in the dark." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and glanced through. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to made him keep the appointment." constraint." "Absolutely?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had rose-bushes. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "That is unusual in a young girl." not, dad?" she asked. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. fashion which was peculiar to him. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." pictures, libraries, or plate. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "It is his hat." nonsense.' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "What of the rat, then?" my special province." chambers. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in You want to know what became of those geese?" "'You cannot say what it was?' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "She will not sell." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "But your client--" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran hurried away. was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "It is possible." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have point in the dark hollow of his hand. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable married her." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "A confidential servant?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the the so-precious time, but come!' wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon had no one to advise her at such a crisis." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Then the page we have seen--" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "What of the rat, then?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so them?" entirely devoid of interest." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as putting in the horse. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and became a certainty. once more. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and wait." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms me have 200 pounds?' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "You have but to name it." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the companion imperturbably. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and 'please.'" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet answered with a sidelong glance. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "But she will refuse." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and as this. Pray let me have the details." later, upon the night of May 2nd." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he crime." "That is possible." "A client, then?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the telegram would bring me down to your help." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of Mr. Rucastle's." air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always with some details as to your case." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out I shall communicate with you." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the whereabouts. "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Was the window open?" Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the call you and give you the chance." "Then I am your man."