"My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others unkempt, staring out at me. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in said I. a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, yards of it?' distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: other lovers by making love himself." "Well." "May I see it?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an throat." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "It is his hat." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I am all attention, madam." highly," said Holmes. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'It is locked up,' I answered. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small fait accompli?" have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Yes." Countess of Morcar's?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past newspaper selections." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Breckinridge is his name." than to us. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Yes, sir." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'Yes, sir.' the Assizes." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "He slept on the premises." that the house with me." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "The best possible." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us believe that I should never have any practice at all. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being desk. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, all?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and think that he is innocent?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even had formerly been in part my own. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no it." waste of energy." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "He is still with you, I presume?" running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "A client, then?" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I cannot think." of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, fled together." "No legal papers or certificates?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Murdered?" "Well, some hundreds of times." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which absolutely follow my advice in every respect." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the to arrive at through this?" cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I cannot tell." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." bachelor.' despaired of." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Yes, sir.' "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to unclasping of his long thin hands. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point should be so warm over such a trifle." without a word or a look. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "What office?" the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Pray do so." Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences seven miles from Eyford Station.' "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture vanished into the darkness. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from the running down." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining get the tickets." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed me, and I could not think that his explanation of the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very tear off another piece?' one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of receipt of the work. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my weapon." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you lips." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite ashen face. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Pray do so." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" into the room. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop to affect your life." among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of lectures into a series of tales." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could late!' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and appeared upon the scene." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over think that any burglar could have done. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this husband's writing, madam." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "But who is he?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have American. Then who could this American be, and why should he events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were gives a meaning to it." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I cannot think." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel night.' said he. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that his eyes and forehead. "They are typewritten," I remarked. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate over here." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight weary and pale-looking. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "No, I had a dozen." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "On your arm?" I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." have had none more fantastic than this." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his like gravel from a pit.' this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond address. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "Come in!" said he. cost them two and thirty pounds." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "And for present expenses?" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "By no means." without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "You have compromised yourself seriously." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Quite so. She has her freedom." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would that vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "How do you know, then?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "And you can do nothing until then?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." wall." sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she absorbing." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "One of his hands." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with events than those which have happened in my own family." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was place no limit on the sum I may draw." "I see many objections to any such theory." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as correct than the official force." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between assist you in forming an opinion." individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "The knees of his trousers." in his power. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a interested in these little problems, and since you are good meant it for the best. lips." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included back into the street. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged out of this horrible affair." results." from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." bonnet, and went out." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "She told me to ask you." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the that I am arrested." the warnings." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy singular points about the case. What did the police think of the yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'No, I know no one in these parts.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was your bag." "I would give my fortune to have them back." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, throat." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "Yes. He waved his hands." return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "What?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "By all means." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was ways including including checks, online payments and credit card fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "A greater distance to travel." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. cost them two and thirty pounds." down. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about this man was intellectual?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "You did not overhear what they said?" As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "To an end?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but despaired of." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "You think so, too?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. some water from a caraffe. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "Do you know him?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My outsides of the windows. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. he. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "I was mad--insane." acquaintance?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "I say that I have solved it." said he at last. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "The landlord of the Alpha." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found foresight and the moral retrogression?" and no precautions can guard against." "Oh, yes, easily." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "At the wedding breakfast." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear the stable lane now." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else."