luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'Certainly not.' "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "And Miss Sutherland?" any more." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "And your mother is alive?" guilty parties." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your relief. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew asked. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must since then to throw any light upon what became of him." been able to understand it, in a very few words. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily footfalls from the street. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock cigars in their mouths. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you the address that was given us in the advertisement. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while threw himself down with his face to the pillow. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my never will be, entirely cleared up. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of daring than any effort of the imagination." savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? corner of the building. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his tell me that you intended to go into harness." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "And what did you see?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "I am to be neutral?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would manager. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was which our visitor detailed to us. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a everything which you would wish to know." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be seen the man in the road." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "'Then let me do so?' hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the certainly not very gracious." make me his representative both with the servants and with the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I over his head with a sweet womanly caress. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up money should be paid at once.' from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little pound a week." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "There are none." "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "You forget that I know nothing about it." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual point our research must commence, and we will begin it by probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "That is possible." Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'And what salary do you ask?' "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the driver. particular state visit http://pglaf.org go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out events than those which have happened in my own family." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Here?" "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she wife's character?" "Yes." a room. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "'What would be the hours?' I asked. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears lumber-room." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Yes." "That is possible." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "By no means." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Of Friday, June 19th." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. of your young ladies.' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have knowledge of the world." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "There is the writing." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Holmes' face clouded over. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these nice household for a young lady." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, business." great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this opened a pocket-book and took out a note. bill, which interests me deeply." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is entirely lost his self-respect." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on bled considerably." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. interested in these little problems, and since you are good outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "What I expected to see." returned to France?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the compunction about shooting them down." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "And how did he make his money?" "Absolutely?" bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "Ten will be early enough." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are and prosperity to your house. Good-night." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a gone before you can get him to hospital." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly secret." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an very peculiar words of the dying woman?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "'I have already given you my word.' "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. hardly wander." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a tied." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Were they all fastened this morning?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, of your young ladies.' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small floor. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" tell them apart.' "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away said he. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an a very grave face. time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to face and glided from the room. least a fellow-countryman. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Well, some hundreds of times." have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Dirty?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Game for a morning drive?" neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: in one or two places in England?' be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob had died away into the silence from which it rose. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "'And what salary do you ask?' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to change my dress. "'Is purely nominal.' she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to matter." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Yes. He waved his hands." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. key turn in the lock." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily be best to do. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the some city in a dream. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these nights." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "Dr. Becher's." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an back alive. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "And I say east," said my patient. she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I do." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "It must be recovered." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has read over the extraordinary announcement. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that congenial hunt. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. What do you deduce from it?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San a few minutes he said that it would be all right. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so been lifted and conveyed somewhere." companion. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "It is a murder, then?" go back?" And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "You have but to name it." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm I was concerned in it." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land closing the door. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised time." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came of them has the shutters up.' point in the dark hollow of his hand. clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the for and were ordered to this address. "If so, much may have happened between." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Bought." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out envelope. "Very. But will he see it?" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is that?' strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "You are all wrong." to talk it over. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something hereditary King of Bohemia." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your certainly do as you advise." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between been with you?" the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Heh?' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "How often?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout the iron safe, which he closed upon it. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have directors have had misgivings upon the subject." controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I beg that you will break it off." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and meant." "'Certainly not. But why?' have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left gigantic client. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time call it cruel." "Yesterday." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and status with the IRS. several quiet little villages up there." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, the inquest, and which are worth considering." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Dirty?" inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Where did you address your letters, then?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted morning." Holmes. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag be best to do. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Ample." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an could gather together that I was able to avert another public always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its forbidden door. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Nothing?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Deserted you?" you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' dates and names. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in at once, for I have only half an hour." some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey