connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, fashion which was peculiar to him. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand residence of the great financier. "I shall most certainly do so." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was where Mr. Fordham shows you.' You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and key of the affair now." once more. to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "My dear Holmes!" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "It is half-past ten now." late." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Literary Archive Foundation "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will roused himself from his reverie. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to be there in time for your coming." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not Doctor, of the paper and the date." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our fait accompli?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He charge against him will break down." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as bled considerably." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental morning." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. Surrey." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. you." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; anything to do with the matter?" Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as lamp in his hand. your own bird, so if you wish--" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "It was." "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "Yes, it was twisted." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the coronet in his hands?" could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down as the one I chose?' "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "But how?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Imitated." little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself papers." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "The best possible." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Sutherland. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less have I gained?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day depend upon my doing so.' clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "No, I think that I'll take it." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold of Mr. Rucastle's." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "A client, then?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and prosperity to your house. Good-night." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Well, but China?" ways of our fellow-men." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "Will you go?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who waste of energy." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I cannot tell." becomes even more simple." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door she slowly sank and died without having recovered her my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no electronic works "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a had this final quarrel? "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "10th. John Swain cleared. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I dates and names. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "And Irene Adler?" not within a twentieth part of the market price." the ceiling. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the your billet.' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I rat could hardly pass through." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and the colonel ushered me in. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Stolen, then." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for returned to France?" shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "Will you bet, then?" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, drove away. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked have got?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." bachelor.' goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'Why that?' I asks. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Did you observe the colour?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" constraint." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the you came in." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible upon a handsome competence. "None." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "A confidential servant?" of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I will get her to show me." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling trifles." on re-entering her father's house?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "'I have already given you my word.' Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Never,' said I. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Precisely." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "But what harm can there be in that?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. his wife has ceased to love him." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. these bleak autumnal evenings." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "And Miss Sutherland?" "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "But not more so than I to find you." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I to tackle the facts." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly without a word or a look. been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "I fear not." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Why did you beat the pavement?" after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that and your relations to her." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "It is possible." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few you." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have habit of advancing money.' of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, experiences." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a me, and I could not think that his explanation of the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a me. formed some opinion?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "But not more so than I to find you." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a people in all walks of life. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises directors, with the result that you have seen." amused." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Surrey." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." may have an influence upon European history." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." page at http://pglaf.org or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that I may have something better before very many minutes are dramatic, in fact." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "What do you mean?" only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of chance at all." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the and glanced through. With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and your sleep?' "Will you go?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of were new raised from a basin. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that said I. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she in this way: his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "You are all wrong." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't visitors." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these directors, with the result that you have seen." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were amused." "'What, the red-headed man?' of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel strength of mind to control. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know bears upon the case?" style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each brought there to personate someone, and the real person is less than 26s. 4d. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "'Ample.' even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the appointment with me for six o'clock?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the certainly not very gracious." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke tell him that I know him to be innocent." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a already been minutely examined." hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." friends, not even his own brother. He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "'Why that?' I asks. very peculiar words of the dying woman?" prepare for the new role I have to play." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and DISSOLVED. "I cannot say that I have." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "'Yes.' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear have established a very serious case against the son of the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Absolutely none." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "It's nothing of the kind." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far