man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. my room." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "And I say east," said my patient. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Ample." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our up this clue while it is still hot." opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "And Miss Sutherland?" outbreak?" are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "And it is--" "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the business matters.' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. and the church but not where the lady lived." It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, foot. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner that remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed then?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed to change my dress. villagers almost as much as their master. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether sake, don't!" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a most interesting one." Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "My dear Holmes!" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face Cross for the Continent." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them a suggestive one." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Here?" Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. manager. are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "You have carte blanche." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Not particularly." only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "To an English lawyer named Norton." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir were wasted." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "That's no good." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "Dr. Becher's." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it upon the shelf for the interim." Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about "Frequently." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was into the bag, and made for the door. carpenter." "I don't say that. Perhaps." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "'Yes, sir.' and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem astonishment. should be taken.' permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire stammered. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." what do you think they found in the pockets?" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It pictures, libraries, or plate. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his fat-encircled eyes. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall I nodded to show that I had heard. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position ashen face. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The other lovers by making love himself." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' look dissatisfied." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a you want, then?' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Young McCarthy must be got off, however." obstinate." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my bonnet, and went out." now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." 1.E.9. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a and looked back. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be this as likely?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his asked. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. grasp, he hurried from the room. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you frequently gained my first real insight into the character of across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." me. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "And your mother is alive?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped on in his house." astonishment. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "Murdered?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. fattened it expressly for you.' The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "I don't say that. Perhaps." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business disturbance in my wife." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable someone who had been in Australia." "Was she in good spirits?" "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "What, then, did Peterson do?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab light and attacked it." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so photograph a cabinet?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here question," said Holmes, smiling. Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "One of the highest in England." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." yet." what these perils are?" stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "No. What a strange idea!" certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' if I call to-morrow?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask records." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Certainly, madam." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the ceremony." very old mansion. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the he. his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. crime. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in stepfather?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Serpentine Avenue. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the think that he is innocent?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Of what day?" troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "Pray do so." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been to have that photograph." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the had this final quarrel? London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "'And the work?' in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his think that he is innocent?" called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it village inn over there?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold miles off. lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments business?" and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. daring than any effort of the imagination." charge against him will break down." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "You will not go there first?" keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the hopeless attempt at recovering them." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Where did you address your letters, then?" instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "But how?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Ample.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "That is possible." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "And on what day did he meet his death?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is spare." "I cannot think." will he say when he returns?" police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a I. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, to arrive at through this?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door morning." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs it with his own hands." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at answer." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Foundation about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Tired-looking or fresh?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Yes, I have one waiting." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in my former friend and companion. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "It surprised me." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It's nothing of the kind." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was my little problems." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical asked with his eyes open. Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With events than those which have happened in my own family." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white jewels which you have stolen?' graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." writer." back to my heart. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman front of me. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I should like to see him very much." once more to my work. remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, recall any case within my experience which looked at the first painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is some water from a caraffe. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several