on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." mysterious business." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have think, you have already met." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Stolen." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Very well, sir. And this stone?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in fear." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained questionable one." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Was your sister dressed?" highly," said Holmes. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a himself in a perplexing position. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "You have but to name it." touch that coronet?' I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, depend upon my doing so.' saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway were unconscious?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." pictures, libraries, or plate. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and door?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular assist you in forming an opinion." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "Has he come with you to-night?" client, rising. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are forecastle of an emigrant ship. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I one of them." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "And how did you find out?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates lumber-room." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and outbreak?" think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Holmes' room. joking. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" train.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, then?" "A greater distance to travel." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass our word." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" yourselves in at night?" despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our down in his armchair and closing his eyes. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'Certainly not. But why?' knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And it is--" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the date of his supposed suicide." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and that before taking the final step I should like to submit the On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I coat-tails." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are have had none more fantastic than this." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by next day. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "And on what day did he meet his death?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found success. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece woven round him. my room." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and bachelor.' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the Red-headed League." "No, I think that I'll take it." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then interests were the same as his." chance at all." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs one or two very singular points about this room. For example, crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending of them has the shutters up.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I of Mr. Rucastle's." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he clanging. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear fact, we may call it conclusive." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Nearly eleven." lost his Christmas dinner." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the had picked up in the wood. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. them?" I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten was used.' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, is a common subject for conversation. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air had no one to advise her at such a crisis." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "'A dozen yards or so.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady there has been an enclosure here!" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that following enigmatical notices: "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Entirely." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, danger is over." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in power." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End you." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Yes." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. not fit the lock." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his danger is over." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Watson," he said cordially. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to been lifted and conveyed somewhere." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "What do you mean?" tapping his fingers upon the table. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me may never be exposed to such a temptation." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "It was." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she what I may call a really hard day's work." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "'Ample.' His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas presume?" train.' taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me over his head with a sweet womanly caress. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "I have seen the police." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who like that before?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "'What then?' I asked. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Did you observe the colour?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Not him." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, Holmes." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. to his chemical studies. "Oh, fresh and glossy." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a experiences." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Do you go out much in society?" "Just look it up, then." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "And you don't know his address?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her I nodded again. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and then?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel to that open window." Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you public press." "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his way in everything. my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of promised to bring home. breakfast." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the nothing of it?" second window is the one that I jumped from." his face. Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "'Is 4 pounds a week.' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. beyond words. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "It surprised me." I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, and I shall be with you presently." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the he bowed and left the room without another word. It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "By all means." know what is wrong with it.' wedding?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "You have a clue?" "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the know that the truth is known." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing went to the Alpha were town bred." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by exactly what you advise." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "And the cigar-holder?" branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to to surprise her." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "'Where to?' "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding thin legs towards the fire. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Yes." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa completely overtopped every other consideration that we both little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold the coroner come to?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "And I say east," said my patient. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. like that before?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, have an American origin." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Never." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every and put his glass in his pocket. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over was a loud and authoritative tap. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, been anything against him. He had for years been known as a pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if a few minutes he said that it would be all right. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "My dear Holmes!" call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. at home. "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my entirely lost his self-respect." "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked.