news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Where did you address your letters, then?" copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Very much so." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Then what has happened to him?" "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, drove away. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed forecastle of an emigrant ship. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" chance at all." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has tail." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'Yes.' "The knees of his trousers." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? fish-monger and a tide-waiter." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to about here speaks of his kindness to him." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no III. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "Was your sister dressed?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done wedding?" and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "'I have already given you my word.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Farm upon the left." I nodded to show that I had heard. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I will get her to show me." success. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. electronic works travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Henry Baker is a member." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady the coronet in his hand?" unprofitable." recover the gem." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Then, how do you know?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may night.' said he. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Not him." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so his face. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' imbecility!" he cried. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "I should wish to." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss matters immensely." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "'Yes, sir.' once more. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked entirely lost his self-respect." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so with some details as to your case." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the soul! here is her carriage at the door." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened respectable self." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the inner apartment." lamp in his hand. invisible to me," I remarked. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." of Mr. Rucastle's." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of horse could go." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his certainly not very gracious." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. nights." congratulate you again." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have a suggestive one." "Not in the least." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a here." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Clair, of Lee." deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be like that before?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Precisely so. But how--" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a despair." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. http://gutenberg.net/license). burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end matters immensely." as he folded up the epistle. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet "'Never,' said I. "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation woman." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; papers diligently of late, have you not?" locked. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "What have you done?" asked Holmes. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last from you?" My friend smiled. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "That is possible." "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "How did that help you?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but them?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am occupations.' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'And what salary do you ask?' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes bears upon the case?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and no precautions can guard against." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Dirty?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to infinite languor in his face. "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is happened." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past outside." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was chance." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I eat it." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be distinguish the words: go--none." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Chief Executive and Director your own bird, so if you wish--" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an straighten it?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Young McCarthy must be got off, however." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "And what did you see?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his suddenly upon us." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not newspaper selections." "Yes, the wine-cellar." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor could go. thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Oh, yes, easily." what is your own theory as to what took place?" him." my friend's incisive reasoning. you understand?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Look there!" said he. that he has suffered." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the it." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "But what is it you wish?" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with for its centre. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "But I am all in the dark." knowledge of the world." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch letters?" such person." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very Literary Archive Foundation I shall communicate with you." mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the bottom.' came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of miles off. families. Now for the facts. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more with some details as to your case." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'Ten to two.' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" my room." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, man. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the October 9, 1890. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. to-night?" I asked. you came in." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker opened a pocket-book and took out a note. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a correct than the official force." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his chemical work which was so dear to him. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "And who is her maid?" without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to Leadenhall Street--and--" carried out of court." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress come either from the window or the door. My attention was bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I crowd. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to but preventing her from injuring another. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm cause to be." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her true." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "A confidential servant?" be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the good for you to do.' his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. in. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "The best possible." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "What do you mean?" the coroner come to?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom manager. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I cannot imagine." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety thin, with a long, sharp nose?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I think it very unlikely." "And when will you call?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you becomes even more simple." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled again before evening." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "That is unusual in a young girl." formed some opinion?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very that threaten you." paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Because he was handy and would come cheap." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet ceremony." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Clair, of Lee." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing to-night?' to-night." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Only as much as we can deduce." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand.