"'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "But the mystery?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." stepfather?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just individual and becomes the badge of a society." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush little trying to do so much typewriting?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day pierced for earrings?" "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Yes, sir." knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "How did he come?" "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "'You cannot say what it was?' landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has thought that she would have been so carried away." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "Never." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of to a light-house. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before shoulder. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat papers." "No legal papers or certificates?" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders eat it." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. 1.F. "To an end?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I cannot tell." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "I cannot as yet see any connection." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his weighed down with some great anxiety. the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can and capable of preserving a secret.' inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the best of training." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I do." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "By train from Waterloo." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "No legal papers or certificates?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "I will, Miss Turner." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him stalked out of the room. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "We must have a cab." up this clue while it is still hot." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe during that time.' "Not in the least." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and returning from some small jollification and was making his way narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have the dangers which encompass me." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Never." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. His name is Francis Prosper." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all there." "No, distinctly professional." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade wedding?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning we went to search for him, face downward in a little "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it waste of energy." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at examine." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The wall." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his your billet.' dates and names. "And Irene Adler?" devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she morning." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De intimate personal affairs in this public manner." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that you." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case completely overtopped every other consideration that we both peculiar to him. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I shall most certainly do so." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him comes from the middle window." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your details should find their way into the papers. Inspector have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Street. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two think you a quite exceptional woman." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that you saw all that I did." gbnewby@pglaf.org pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "What is it?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the is so. I know all about McCarthy." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was breakfast." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil a very grave face. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his retorted upon me, and I on you." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to residence of the great financier. "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection six. Come in!" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing had a long day." "He said that you could solve anything." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master them present such singular features as the strange train of very morning of my second wedding." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it invisible to me," I remarked. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms and a shock of very red hair. you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "What is it, then--a fire?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." here and I will read it to you: dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' hour?' style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster directors have had misgivings upon the subject." upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "And why?" The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he you." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from these bleak autumnal evenings." his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul made his money." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a wanted for ourselves." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down became a certainty. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front his grey eyes. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "But his lameness?" "What?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. shoulder. 'please.'" and your relations to her." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the attention." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, take the flies, but not before." morning." "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Did he not advertise?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of direction." you in yours." "Come in!" said Holmes. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. I was concerned in it." "You have a clue?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Again Holmes raved in the air. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to hurried away. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email indiscretion." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the running down." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "You have compromised yourself seriously." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" matters immensely." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "How can you tell that?" impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Yes." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have enter into my head. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand clang of the bell. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the better in every way that they should make their position a little silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she lectures into a series of tales." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Yes." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "But you were on a friendly footing?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "What will you say?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "What is it, then--a fire?" "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "He said that you could solve anything." you." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "What, then?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "You did not overhear what they said?" strong and stiff." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his side. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, helping a boy to put up the shutters. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "Perhaps we may make them less so." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "You are all wrong." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a generous with you in money matters.' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable some water from a caraffe. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the tragedy. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the station." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham the coroner come to?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. salesman. "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer 11:15.' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and capable of preserving a secret.' these bleak autumnal evenings." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were present." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "No." beg that you will break it off." people don't know." like that before?" walking." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more During two years I have had three consultations and one small ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "You have a clue?" Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his the running down." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers to have been novel and of interest." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of such person." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "My dear Holmes!" adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By quite distinctive." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from lamp.