matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in papers." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said that mystery!" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Yes." that I am arrested." Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "By no means." entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not upon a handsome competence. it right.' peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "And you thought he was pulled back?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "How did you trace it, then?" rooms." "This concluded the examination of the witness." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." suspect him." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Which are?" "It surprised me." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "How did that help you?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. neither fascinating nor artistic." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental of his shoulders. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "Yes, sir." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "My photograph." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. he bowed and left the room without another word. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "It is no ordinary one." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must prison!" rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." crackling voice. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with heavy and sharp instrument." province." of the way of danger. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Absolutely none." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons his face which made him a very different person to the round, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My telegram would bring me down to your help." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a have accepted such a situation. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" your Highness to the police-station?" balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This wall." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. used to be." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be your sleep?' building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my if I call to-morrow?" sound at heart." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." to arrive at through this?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Dark enough and sinister enough." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I cannot think." "I was sure that I might rely on you." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You where we are going." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Well, it is a possible supposition." soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the way in." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "'Tell me all about it,' said I. into the room. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "What is it?" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "It is true that I have been generally successful." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Then I am your man." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'What then?' I asked. surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "I shall be delighted." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as strength in the others." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And how have you succeeded?" confronted him. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. to-night." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name we went to search for him, face downward in a little or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. "None." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is weary and pale-looking. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But who is he?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and these bleak autumnal evenings." deduce something from that?" spark where all is dark to me." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly colour had been driven from his face. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the stones. "How are you getting on?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these of a light. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything strong reason behind." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite The events in question occurred in the early days of my "We have tried and failed." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have questioning and rather startled gaze. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "But I have heard all that you have heard." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where tell him that I know him to be innocent." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "Not particularly." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of congenial hunt. had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and and effective." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to was not a bird to be seen there. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is people in all walks of life. room had already been engaged for us. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband when you have done it." life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Ah!" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see meanly of me." seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their guilty parties." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these and prosperity to your house. Good-night." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Bought." learned something! Where are the gems?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such girl said." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Then I shall certainly come." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her he. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "You were travelling in the States?" branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack shoulder; "he's all right." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending lamp in his hand. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "You think so, too?" his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if up this clue while it is still hot." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "My Mary? Impossible!" the devil!" previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the date of his supposed suicide." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf following enigmatical notices: card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "My photograph." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a morning." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! my room." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some "'Then let me do so?' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" became a certainty. highly," said Holmes. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES again, where I was soon asleep. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so security.' word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. from you?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Oh, fresh and glossy." until night should bring an explanation. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Chief Executive and Director thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but of them has the shutters up.' Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Come in!" said he. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite forecastle of an emigrant ship. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and behind me. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Stolen." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't events than those which have happened in my own family." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in telegram would bring me down to your help." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it attention." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all discontent upon his features. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "'Which dealer's?' over part of the map. "What do you read?" state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. detective. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "BALLARAT." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that Edgeware Road. knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "And how did you verify them?" He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not should be taken.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his relation between them, and what the object of his repeated other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of not personally threatened." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence cost them two and thirty pounds." Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will it right.' Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "The murder was done with it." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is client, rising. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. purpose equally well?" 'I should be able to look after that for you.' time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat written, and locked the door of the office after me. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while to-night?' of Fenchurch Street." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in this way: triumphant cloud from his cigarette. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. client, rising. my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the on in his house." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "How can you tell that?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters a monotonous occupation." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to was lame." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." arrested. You then--" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises felt the room to be a little close.' which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "Tired-looking or fresh?" Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "The murder was done with it." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." nothing of it?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "To an end?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely their singular warning or token before them when starting upon trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and some city in a dream. plantation.' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" started for the Temple to see my husband. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. appeal." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a in a friendly supper." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered the running down." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well,