increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "On Monday." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It a room. already been minutely examined." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you hour." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: that there was nothing in it, after all." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into side. of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy just ask you whether you had heard it.' standing smiling on the door-step. "I beg pardon." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business of receipt of the work. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Where did you address your letters, then?" every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Yes, that is the Crown." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Come in!" said he. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." his face which made him a very different person to the round, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue where she found matters as described by the last witness. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are enough to aid us in our search." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case through." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Yes." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES an introduction to him?" memory. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, Surrey." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own not use it unless it is absolutely needed." whole matter to your consideration." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your front of me. quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in relation between them, and what the object of his repeated firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not chamber." papers must be those that are destroyed.' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous your billet.' The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of like that before?" Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, horse could go." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I have solved it." "'Entirely.' would apply.' skylight. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And Irene Adler?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Yes, at the mines." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has less than 26s. 4d. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I do." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the house with me." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan annoyance, but no jest. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in For additional contact information: shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was simple cases which are so extremely difficult." words came to my lips. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of pierced for earrings?" man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, cup of tea. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but she used." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she are, and they are waiting for us." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in swore that no one else had been in the front room during the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over them, and came down just as you departed. morning." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way for and were ordered to this address. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On derbies." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. she has been waylaid. There has been no result." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. Henry Baker is a member." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk conceal it?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six you found me to-night--and running through the front room she wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the infinite languor in his face. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "And how did you find out?" landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which clanging. "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in some water from a caraffe. never to learn it at all." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. from the brougham. "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." important." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by it." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as vault. "But how?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it http://gutenberg.net/license). Eyford." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Imitated." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself made him keep the appointment." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. for securing the situation." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the dates and names. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such ceremony." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." kindly on the shoulder. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug DAMAGE. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "But I am all in the dark." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return an introduction to him?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Nothing." wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion at my own good fortune. him nearly every evening." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward hair?' He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no them?" "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. third from London." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Yes, from Horsham." prison!" man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was throat." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Yes, it would be as well." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for During two years I have had three consultations and one small property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon ready to-morrow?' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my narrative." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "Yes, sir." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "'Oh, no.' desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary letters?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was galvanised. newspaper selections." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Now, then, what's the last entry?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he investigation." would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, himself. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the was lame." "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling said I. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered over with notes and figures. "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do his huge brown hands. Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. do.' shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly woven round him. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger been lifted and conveyed somewhere." hardly wander." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "And how in the world did you find them?" the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "It goes to the housekeeper's room." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the mysterious business." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Will you go?" more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "That is possible." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." bonnet, and went out." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "This concluded the examination of the witness." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I don't believe it." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Pray do so." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate him nearly every evening." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "You don't mind breaking the law?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one bedroom door." spare." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I cannot imagine." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as woman." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Never to return." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It London for the present?" pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I house for five minutes.' "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You sound at heart." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to acted in my house last night?" Pope's Court. houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Is 4 pounds a week.' wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black charged with?" finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with voice, changing her seat as requested. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "And Miss Sutherland?" "Then I do not see the point." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "It is his hat." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself,