The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, forebodings. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'You cannot say what it was?' "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Oh, fresh and glossy." useful material for showing traces. The double line a little I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and all of them with the keenest interest. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming James Windibank. Voilà tout!" rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and who was a member of your goose club." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried evidence," I remarked. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Very murderous indeed." The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Mrs. Toller serenely. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, absorbing." will find little credit to be gained out of this case." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that to me. "I have solved it." compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. that threaten you." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "What have you done?" asked Holmes. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no before, for it was considerably after midnight. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, highly," said Holmes. matter." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "No." "The gentleman I describe." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He 11:15.' compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel washing it down with a long draught of water. "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Nearly eleven." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the nursery. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out upon the shelf for the interim." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down companion quietly. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more at home. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "That is unusual in a young girl." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "How did you deduce the select?" green of the new foliage. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "What! You do not mean bodies?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining the matter." "I am about to be married." the south-west, I see." heavy and sharp instrument." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small Lee, in the county of Kent." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was them?" I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little begun to whiten, even as mine has." "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into once more for Briony Lodge. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. back to my heart. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to for its centre. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only morning." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "What can you not understand?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the ways of our fellow-men." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he do you make of it all?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." them, and came down just as you departed. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." sit on the left-hand side of the driver." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "One?" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily chamber." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' in. it right.' whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are ordinary clothes on?" as noiselessly as she had come. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Nor running a chance of arrest?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Farm upon the left." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that dead, shall be safe with us." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would himself to hunt down. beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, daring than any effort of the imagination." was feeling which was the fattest.' held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all heavily into it. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who skylight. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close goes." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It 1.E.9. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe character. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through national property. I was determined that the law should have its yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. goes." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "But what is it you wish?" Holmes' thin, eager face. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." lips." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Perfectly so." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Then I can wait in the next room." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning learned something! Where are the gems?" gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice and glanced through. would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "What?" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage fled together." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell wedding?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It may not come to that," said Holmes. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the ceiling. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Where to?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I have got?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to present." "The gentleman I describe." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "But who is he?" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The front of the hall door has given its name to the place. think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an someone who had been in Australia." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "About a month then." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the side-table." my little problems." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of minor matters until to-morrow." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, there in twenty minutes." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "My Mary? Impossible!" putting in the horse. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his would apply.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the intrusion of other matters." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, Street. extraordinary contortions. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford morning." and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than been anything against him. He had for years been known as a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of strange features which were associated with the two crimes which summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "And is that all?" as he folded up the epistle. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "Oh, yes, easily." "Yes." drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a was lame." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or goes." The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all think, you have already met." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever strong reason behind." course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement do you make of it all?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "To an end?" he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon keep the flames under. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for instincts rose up against that laugh. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known His name is Francis Prosper." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left acquaintance?" bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been my special province." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon James Windibank. Voilà tout!" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for with some details as to your case." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the out." she used." has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Watson," he said cordially. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying been shamefully used." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over writer." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the not fit the lock." rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing during that time.' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Certainly." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "And that is--" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "How on earth--" imbecility!" he cried. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' spare." not, dad?" she asked. Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical subject to the trademark license, especially commercial so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that must compliment you." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass be sorry for having acted so harshly." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Then I do not see the point." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have rooms." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." cup of tea. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all stalked out of the room. wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young too. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. which we had just quitted. "I have a cab outside."