her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the towards the blaze. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had fuss that is made over them." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. gigantic client. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Entirely." whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands trying to your nerves." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the vault. "Where, indeed?" specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Mrs. Toller serenely. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the written, and locked the door of the office after me. any more." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your their singular warning or token before them when starting upon joking. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders front of me. thought that she would have been so carried away." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered several quiet little villages up there." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work hurried by. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to chambers. is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "'Certainly not.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do page at http://pglaf.org The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my had this final quarrel? It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would shag which I had seen upon the previous night. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Thank you. And your address?" utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted me what he had done with the three missing stones. cigars in their mouths. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "When did it break out?" "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is meanly of me." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "'Why that?' I asks. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Yes, only one." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her was it brought him the coronet? "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The bare slabs of marble. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "And how?" really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "On Monday." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up hurried away. "'Never,' said I. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Have you it here?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "And Irene Adler?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have plantation.' "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had in. absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "Deserted you?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. it were putty." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "I shall be delighted." look upon these things in a different way." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." were wasted." bell. Holmes whistled. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in http://www.gutenberg.net chambers. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought case before our client came into the room." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an for its centre. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." very old mansion. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "Her father is very rich?" flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the loss of it. "What do you mean?" "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "If I can be of use." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, hard-headed British jury." was it brought him the coronet? ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the that I can to serve you." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "What then?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "'Ample.' "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "How about poison?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence never will be, entirely cleared up. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'Oh, no.' and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Perfectly so." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little hand, madam?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "'And the work?' to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was started for the Temple to see my husband. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the at a side door. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Yes." "Only as much as we can deduce." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he him." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "You are all wrong." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "A greater distance to travel." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" heavy and sharp instrument." "Won't it ring?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I quickly through a disagreeable task. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, correct than the official force." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I cigars in their mouths. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Never.' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated a little more before I quite committed myself. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." than to us. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are gone before you can get him to hospital." what is your own theory as to what took place?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now Mary, has deserted me." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I never have." in his power. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout them?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in second window is the one that I jumped from." it." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. vanished into the darkness. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign of the efforts of the United States government and of the better enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his in his power. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present soul! here is her carriage at the door." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa introspective fashion. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the purpose equally well?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the matter." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to of." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. the matter?" "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "One of the highest in England." better in every way that they should make their position a little with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would the warnings." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Then the page we have seen--" say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a during the last few years, and there are many noble families to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the crowd. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Yes. He waved his hands." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "I guessed as much." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" the ceiling. in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "In which, sir?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. as yours." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because to surprise her." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "He said too much." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I cannot say that I have." change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to address. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and foot. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "What!" he roared. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "My dear Holmes!" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great tassel actually lying upon the pillow. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with read it out to me." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the night.' been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "But his lameness?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy strong and stiff." paper in the air. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what