nonsense.' which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, guilty parties." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a wedding?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the just called myself is not exactly my own." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back charge against him will break down." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "You were travelling in the States?" disturbance in my wife." "I cannot imagine." with her." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and Pope's Court. "I am to be neutral?" jewels which you have stolen?' vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary 'please.'" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the coronet at all injured?" "No." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "But she could not love him." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "At what time?" a little more before I quite committed myself. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive to a more successful conclusion." lectures into a series of tales." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads results." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' bore every mark of being an average commonplace British be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Just look it up, then." voice. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the station." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "None." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening forebodings. upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work and have this put in the evening papers." "Two days later this same performance was gone through under common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "And Irene Adler?" money should be paid at once.' he died? "No sign of it?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "None." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in a very grave face. in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where upon an income of about 60 pounds." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Very. But will he see it?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he until night should bring an explanation. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it events than those which have happened in my own family." few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. will not take me long to tell. "I never have." tell me that you intended to go into harness." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "Dirty?" "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the little opening for the ventilator is." "'Ample.' Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" colonel looking down at me. first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and more terrible than the truth. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "Oh, fresh and glossy." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my rose-bushes. sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague stammered. He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which taking in every detail of the apartment. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven The note was undated, and without either signature or address. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of or in danger--" electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "But you can know nothing of this?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "Yes, sir." followed. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy then?" "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in papers on the sundial.'" heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." call you and give you the chance." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You think so, too?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. at home. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. any more." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer galvanised. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "You horrify me." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is carried out of court." to miss it." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'I am sure that I do not know.' "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I shall be delighted." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not this man was intellectual?" this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "No." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the south-west, I see." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered that you can jump it.' large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'Yes, sir.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark sound at heart." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and him. PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an my friend's incisive reasoning. mystery." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." acquaintance?" "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Do you go out much in society?" the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been The King stared at him in amazement. as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it followed. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "She showed me, as I told you she would." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would suspect him." "But to whom?" retorted upon me, and I on you." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Have you it here?" with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Seven!" I answered. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked residence of the great financier. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "My Mary? Impossible!" to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "'There is a drive, then?' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of it. case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when more terrible than the truth. "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been something of him before." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled leave you to your papers for a little." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the you give your casting vote to?" considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a I nodded to show that I had heard. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "My last client of the sort was a king." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Ha! you find it so?" manager. "We must have a cab." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the strength in the others." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must address. society." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who think you a quite exceptional woman." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." *** START: FULL LICENSE *** was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. you give your casting vote to?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and brain must have something in it." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. the driver. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered the bed, and you in that chair." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Oh, no.' for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "What then?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Perhaps I have." "You did not overhear what they said?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not Leadenhall Street--and--" even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "You did not overhear what they said?" "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Entirely." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'I am sure if I had known--' "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "'You cannot say what it was?' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And when will you call?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my colonel looking down at me. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "ARAT," I read. "Stoke Moran?" said he. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, my friend's incisive reasoning. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in tension within him. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner prisoner's face. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire it means?" national property. I was determined that the law should have its rat could hardly pass through." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn into the bag, and made for the door. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. electronic works be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; lumber-room." as yours." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "And how did you find out?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it least a most suspicious remark." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had waste of energy." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "One horse?" interjected Holmes. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email them?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the dangers which encompass me." returned to France?" directors, with the result that you have seen." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Did he not advertise?" of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. miles off. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. salesman. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "I see no marks." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Watson," he said cordially. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Henry Baker is a member." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get upon a handsome competence. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" certainly do as you advise." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her likely to be some crony of the landlady's." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "Did your wife hear all this?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as