"It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Not particularly." photograph?" practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door in this note: "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "What office?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'What, the red-headed man?' what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. it means?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. and all of them with the keenest interest. sentimental considerations in the background which would induce The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Yes, it would be as well." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Where did you address your letters, then?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink may never be exposed to such a temptation." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Who was the criminal, then?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray presented which may be striking and bizarre without being knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. when you have done it." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still frequently gained my first real insight into the character of ventilator." "Indeed! Whose, then?" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative have an American origin." hardly wander." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months call you and give you the chance." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily as the one I chose?' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "It certainly sounds feasible." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers door?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my crowd. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood security.' of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this attention." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss But Holmes shook his head gravely. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never the driver. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' useful material for showing traces. The double line a little circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the "The best possible." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Was your sister dressed?" drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "No, my brougham is waiting." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "'What, the red-headed man?' and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "'Yes, sir.' clang of the bell. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could families. Now for the facts. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." been with you?" have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Yes, it was twisted." of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind before, for it was considerably after midnight. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few infinite languor in his face. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it danger is over." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an lost his Christmas dinner." intrusion of other matters." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss 11:15.' "'And what salary do you ask?' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "VIOLET HUNTER." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big that the gas is not laid on in his house?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an The telegram which we eventually received came late one night to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at quite distinctive." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for lost his Christmas dinner." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened begun to whiten, even as mine has." his fortune, and I went back to pa. herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a even so self-evident a thing as that." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "Witness: Nothing definite. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the formed some opinion?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. my little problems." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "To the police?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "A greater distance to travel." one of the states of the Union." "No sign of it?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. spark where all is dark to me." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one perplexity from it to my illustrious client. moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple look upon these things in a different way." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, speckled band?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Absolutely none." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Was the window open?" "No sign of it?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off that there was nothing in it, after all." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "And your father? Did you tell him?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable one's self under obligations.' at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "But what will you do?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity tension within him. I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, becomes even more simple." interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I see many objections to any such theory." "But what will you do?" his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin should be taken.' "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "It certainly sounds feasible." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I next day. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Your French gold?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to was already answered. arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I assure you that I am in your hands." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I will do it." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the them, and came down just as you departed. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "By no means." felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not him to go away.' the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black married her." "What is it?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial money should be paid at once.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, 1.F. brandy and water within his reach. late." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "What! a murderous attack?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Yes." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "No." Street. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'Yes, I promise.' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and His smile broadened. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew back to my heart. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Then how many are there?" "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles congenial hunt. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle for its centre. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "He slept on the premises." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "I should like to see him very much." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while touch that coronet?' "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' kind enough to tell me what I should do." relief. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." fire. You quite follow me?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." knowledge of the world." carpenter." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "None." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "The knees of his trousers." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "I am armed." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "And leave your case unfinished?" or other trace. But how on earth--" instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I was certainly surprised to find you there." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this three fields round his house, and there he would take his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The their singular warning or token before them when starting upon paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "There are none." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "He said too much." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "How many? I don't know." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little be there in time for your coming." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. you." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two key of the affair now." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." words came to my lips. has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" stalked out of the room. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure about here speaks of his kindness to him." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Never to return." business." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while asked with his eyes open. thought that she would have been so carried away." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came weigh very heavily upon my conscience." coroner's jury." there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the situation." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew congenial hunt. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained sparkled upon his finger. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw said I. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better his huge brown hands. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the matter over." voice. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." tell them apart.' and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more I took the paper from him and read as follows: "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate in this way: greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I past. now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "'Stolen!' he cried. and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose