analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "My dear Holmes!" on re-entering her father's house?" "And what then?" Holmes." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "I am about to be married." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "A thing like a cleaver," said he. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "You were travelling in the States?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon never will be, entirely cleared up. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the three of the beryls in it, was missing. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His that he has suffered." "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "'I am sure if I had known--' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the had died away into the silence from which it rose. "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The correct than the official force." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and visitors." defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can Cross for the Continent." have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, following enigmatical notices: "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, my secret was safe in his possession. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Yes." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it man. I know him from the photograph." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was astonishment. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Foundation thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a always that they were such commands as a lady might with you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug cost them two and thirty pounds." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present case before our client came into the room." "You horrify me." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Then you may entirely rely on me." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. be. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the the warnings." do.' moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Perfectly so." "I never have." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "It must be recovered." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "Witness: It was. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can make me his representative both with the servants and with the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Certainly." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'You doubt its value?' he asked. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." questioning and rather startled gaze. "I am to be neutral?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." coat-tails." "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "What then?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Then how many are there?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Where, indeed?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "What then?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers article?" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "My photograph." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just brought there to personate someone, and the real person is my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" bears upon the case?" and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." own family. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Indeed! Whose, then?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep and looked back. "Why serious?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "I saw her in conversation with her maid." page at http://pglaf.org never came back." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a outsides of the windows. "To ruin me." to some other building. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but again." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Only as much as we can deduce." "Thank you. Pray proceed." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'What then?' I asked. one's self under obligations.' Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature will find little credit to be gained out of this case." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her wall." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very and the church but not where the lady lived." indiscretion." "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small again on its way. "Yes, from Horsham." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed himself. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "Then I am your man." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go really the only notable feature about the thing." why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. shall not find me ungrateful." Munro.' "An accident, I presume?" examine." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, wedding?" "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, results." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of companion. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" fatally injured? when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "'As governess?' gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Yes." "That is it on the dressing-table." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for it." promised to bring home. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Yes.' He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was like gravel from a pit.' is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever one which it was hard to resist. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and passage and a tap at the door. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "Certainly." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. the address that was given us in the advertisement. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Quite so. She has her freedom." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, was a loud and authoritative tap. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, take the flies, but not before." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Not social, then?" someone who had been in Australia." drove away. Pope's Court. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. showing my impatience. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "What?" appeared upon the scene." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, British peeress.'" followed. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "And your mother is alive?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if with her." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or of them has the shutters up.' enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, redistribution. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "In San Francisco, a year ago." follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, in my life." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your one of them." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "It is to him that this trophy belongs." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'Stolen!' he cried. dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Very much so." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just again before evening." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Not particularly." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches it? Did I buy the geese off you?" and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or characteristics, but those are the more obvious." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. colonel looking down at me. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "Only as much as we can deduce." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "One of the highest in England." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "But I have heard all that you have heard." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the papers diligently of late, have you not?" you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for the Friday. Was it to be in church?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "No. What a strange idea!" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the acted in my house last night?" pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. said I. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no could go. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow do you make of it all?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about cost them two and thirty pounds." of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "Always." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in may have an influence upon European history." status with the IRS. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I cannot as yet see any connection." table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "No, I had a dozen." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the friends, not even his own brother. are, I think, all that we need." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "My opinion is in no way altered." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I