while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "No, I had a dozen." returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains instincts rose up against that laugh. "And Irene Adler?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming to-morrow." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." Leadenhall Street--and--" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I figure." which we had just quitted. him. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched McCarthy." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "By all means." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Well, some hundreds of times." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, conceal it?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, really the only notable feature about the thing." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Will you bet, then?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know look upon these things in a different way." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I my little problems." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Perhaps we may make them less so." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the out." "What can it mean?" I gasped. hands. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I upon the sideboard." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her bare slabs of marble. dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of even of instruction." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I the window, rose as we entered. "But we can't all be." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is other means.' in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly His smile broadened. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "None. Neville wrote those words." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. Munro.' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "In San Francisco, a year ago." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the stones. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true trifles." "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that amused." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Holmes, the busybody!" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I case-book, which he consulted. Heh?' "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already which it had come upon my father." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'Where could I find him?' "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Absolutely?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to in his power. you give your casting vote to?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a it." laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my hurried by. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the the roots. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "But not more so than I to find you." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been upon the white wrist. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with meant it for the best. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It answer." to miss it." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to-night?' quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the events, Mr. Windibank!" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence me where it went to?" which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from that you wished to speak to me?' an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt friends, not even his own brother. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry absolutely follow my advice in every respect." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid me upon any point which I do not make clear." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "Yes, sir." "Has he come with you to-night?" here and I will read it to you: new duties?' him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "No, distinctly professional." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the house with me." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the Does that suggest anything?" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of straighten it?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that said I. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of horse could go." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come to you." of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Yes, it would be as well." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if your billet.' murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "Then I shall certainly come." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "And did you observe any change in her then?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, it. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "And now?" I asked. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in congenial hunt. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Sutherland. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "You did not overhear what they said?" over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "He might." whether it answered to the description of any of their "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "But of what society?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because From what you have told me I think that it is possible that in one or two places in England?' "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself second." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Then the page we have seen--" be best to do. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned that there was nothing in it, after all." experiences." voice, changing her seat as requested. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation where we are going." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all room. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "No?" "What! Had he lost his wife?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime manager. back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Very murderous indeed." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a I. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally a suggestive one." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. intrusion of other matters." most interesting one." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I don't say that. Perhaps." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for Gutenberg-tm License. is so. I know all about McCarthy." examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old awaited us upon the table. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact again before evening." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "Then the page we have seen--" evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag bachelor.' has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'Why that?' I asks. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "What can you not understand?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. really the only notable feature about the thing." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "In the cells." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way stammered. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of interested in these little problems, and since you are good "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "A confidential servant?" from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "What! Had he lost his wife?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Will you go?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether his wife has ceased to love him." fluttered off among the others. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "Where did he live, then?" "Yes, certainly." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, answered with a sidelong glance. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "None." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, other means.' that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the felt the room to be a little close.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, call the police, let the police find what they can.' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), everything which you would wish to know." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "'Yes, I promise.' "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but the Friday. Was it to be in church?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy desk. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Yes." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Ample.' as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Street. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn returning from some small jollification and was making his way the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "An enemy?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "How often?" man. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Dirty?" "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of