places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a will be renamed. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "That is possible." you." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see telegram would bring me down to your help." one which it was hard to resist. wife's character?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Absolutely none." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his distance from the station, and there we found the young lady friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than some mystery and the punishment of some crime." face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that breakfast." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "But you were on a friendly footing?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should investigation." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "A client, then?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Why did you beat the pavement?" Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from face and glided from the room. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, records." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not me where it went to?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "And you thought he was pulled back?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "The vanishing of the lady." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Really! You surprise me." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. as yours." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for character. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped made him keep the appointment." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are annoyance, but no jest. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." miles off. "No good news?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his door?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of jewels which you have stolen?' result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that whatever might befall. "Dark enough and sinister enough." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these pictures, libraries, or plate. fasten all the windows?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before thin, with a long, sharp nose?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, The summons was a brief and urgent one. "'What then?' I asked. as he remarks, very much against the son." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and your only hope of safety." October 9, 1890. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white opened a pocket-book and took out a note. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of have an American origin." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I and have this put in the evening papers." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "No, finished." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "What do you mean?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of any little problem which you may submit to me." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There shall use the carriage to-night." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Always." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had meant it for the best. one's self under obligations.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. cigars in their mouths. about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in it. "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's John Swain, of St. Augustine. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." and that he would see to anything that turned up. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. depend upon your compliance." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and distance from the station, and there we found the young lady right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "And Irene Adler?" the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will undoubtedly my uncle's." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "A confidential servant?" low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the to-night?" I asked. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Imitated." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at flock.' "And the murderer?" prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "Dark enough and sinister enough." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the that "Of what day?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "But you were on a friendly footing?" "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "I cannot think." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that 1.F. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which because she had spent so short a time in this country that she at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my such attractions and accomplishments?' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the was already answered. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Never." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too strong and stiff." "Well, but China?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "Very. But will he see it?" Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'Never.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "Who was the criminal, then?" have one." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It the south-west, I see." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "And what then?" through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "It came here." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the tragedy. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his writer." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I nodded to show that I had heard. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH lost his Christmas dinner." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too swore that no one else had been in the front room during the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade is acting for the best. "I should like to see him very much." by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "You know me, then?" figure." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, way in." "Yes, but only for you and me." here and I will read it to you: "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker impression behind it as though a window had gently closed is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that you wished to speak to me?' "I am in hopes that she does." of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Deserted you?" gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "And how did you find out?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "That was it, sir." Stoke Moran." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic chair. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "And you thought he was pulled back?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if pity, because in other respects you would really have done very be. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'As governess?' grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He less than 26s. 4d. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which him to be an active member of the medical profession." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Yes, there are nearly always some there." dear old homesteads?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the writing, and yet I know it well." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It's nothing of the kind." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think allusion to a rat. papers on the sundial.'" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Yes, the wine-cellar." said I. business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help situation." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you direction." answer." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always your troubles." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for anything to do with the matter?" aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel fatally injured? sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "We have tried and failed." dear old homesteads?" One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Murdered?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, that you wished to speak to me?' into the bag, and made for the door. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will my special province." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "I cannot imagine."