that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls means taking possession of that which another person has a prior opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "Proceed, then." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Countess of Morcar's?" "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Perfectly so." "And Irene Adler?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Lee, in the county of Kent." carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "My stepfather's business papers." "When did it break out?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "VIOLET HUNTER." off." coroner's jury." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Yes?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "And for present expenses?" "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with think that he is innocent?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who the coroner come to?" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "How long did she speak to this Alice?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources infinite languor in his face. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point as he folded up the epistle. "No more words. Get out!" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and house for five minutes.' ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "And I say east," said my patient. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "'What would be the hours?' I asked. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your desk. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug to me. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and your relations to her." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the little opening for the ventilator is." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional crackling voice. side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very triumphant cloud from his cigarette. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently several quiet little villages up there." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Pray continue your narrative." awkward doing business with an alias." night.' said he. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric hurried away. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the get the tickets." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with you?" circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "She will not sell." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "No, thank goodness, she did not." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the were unconscious?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "'As governess?' his huge brown hands. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately flock.' me, and I could not think that his explanation of the It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Yes." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Do you know him?" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready could gather together that I was able to avert another public "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "No." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, examination of the premises, but without finding anything which there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the it." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a bedroom door." a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on like gravel from a pit.' status with the IRS. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his asked. of receipt of the work. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. Sutherland?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland flock.' "Very much so." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys thirty. "What will you say?" Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "I say that I have solved it." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Indeed! Whose, then?" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "It is to him that this trophy belongs." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and your only hope of safety." third from London." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, he did." in his hands." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Eh? What was that?" "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to me. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Quite so." III. the dangers which encompass me." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. feature." light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning as yours." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing seem to you to be relevant or not." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, developed." "No, I had a dozen." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. woman." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the indeed which he could not unravel. about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all know all about it," he snarled. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the so-precious time, but come!' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling there in twenty minutes." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you the roots. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. fishes. name is different." coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and girl said." hands. that your room." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. away to you." that he has suffered." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Of what?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly meanly of me." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible notes," he said. son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "I would give my fortune to have them back." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." galvanised. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran it were putty." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Nothing?" "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he in. be.' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the that you wished to speak to me?' not interfere, come what may. You understand?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She one which it was hard to resist. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "But how?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Count Von Kramm." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman read over the extraordinary announcement. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch straighten it?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have side. golden eyeglasses. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. have been better. It is all right." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" better grown goose." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "So I heard. You have him here?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "The Coroner: What do you mean? would then never go into court at all." "The King of Scandinavia." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This over with notes and figures. once more. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking it were putty." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching from the brougham. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What seem to you to be relevant or not." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? south, for the country is more deserted there." entirely devoid of interest." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated at home. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who of them has the shutters up.' said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to to a more successful conclusion." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." digesting their breakfasts at home." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. what do you think they found in the pockets?" following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "My dear Holmes!" chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Yes, I have one waiting." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a developed." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "ARAT," I read. We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that was lame." "'Stolen!' he cried. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the room while you explain this matter?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I three of the beryls in it, was missing. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Was the window open?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "Certainly." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and my former friend and companion. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Witness: I must still refuse. from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." you in your example." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Could he throw no light?" beyond words. the stable lane now." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "I will do it." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." confronted him. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which James Windibank. Voilà tout!" about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "ARAT," I read.