neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any she to prove their authenticity?" row." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried been." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most nothing with him." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the of campaign. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my that I can to serve you." "What shall I do?" "Won't it ring?" This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "There is the writing." either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our companion. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "Yes, sir." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "'A dozen yards or so.' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson maid will bring up your coffee." garden below. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. interest. They are important, you understand, without being impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect it with his own hands." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "I have a cab outside." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A believe that I should never have any practice at all. Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "By train from Waterloo." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "What, then, did Peterson do?" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "And what did you see?" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "I was certainly surprised to find you there." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding my little problems." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of than was visible to me." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Yes." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose fat-encircled eyes. weighed down with some great anxiety. no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in call you and give you the chance." 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "'I have heard so.' Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the crime." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "He is dead," cried several voices. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." best detective that ever lived. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "It was a confession," I ejaculated. figure." fluttered off among the others. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being you." where she found matters as described by the last witness. entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' enter into my head. salesman. that he will be back before evening." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I companion quietly. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which begun to whiten, even as mine has." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "No, I think that I'll take it." "Why serious?" handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my McCarthy." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'Certainly not. But why?' whole matter to your consideration." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot there." know all about it," he snarled. ventilator." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to than was visible to me." the running down." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is friends, not even his own brother. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Just look it up, then." refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight minor matters until to-morrow." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." already been minutely examined." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you "Yes, that is the Crown." go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for fled together." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No photograph a cabinet?" he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "What have you done?" asked Holmes. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "What office?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. said I. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "And from a noble client?" "Where is it, then?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my little trying to do so much typewriting?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or will be renamed. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Yes." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you future lives." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Always." think you a quite exceptional woman." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Very truly yours, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret imbecility!" he cried. only touch the interest." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "But how could you guess what the motive was?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "But he might be a bachelor." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised persecution?" explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "'How far from the body?' the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "And what did you learn from him?" no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you formed some opinion?" than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does were unconscious?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; of note-paper. It read in this fashion: borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that fish-monger and a tide-waiter." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but and all of them with the keenest interest. "Stolen." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as look dissatisfied." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid official police." more solid." Sholtos." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the one else, I think." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, been with you?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Very good.' WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when salesman. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "And that is--" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person them present such singular features as the strange train of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly one which it was hard to resist. ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying in the port of London." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been but preventing her from injuring another. "On your arm?" 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "And did you observe any change in her then?" myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In next day. Again Holmes raved in the air. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large train.' PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into tear off another piece?' which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this what these perils are?" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "I fear not." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "No." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the so-precious time, but come!' knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly this remarkable episode. may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of the Red-headed League." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them together. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than relation between them, and what the object of his repeated address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "And how did you verify them?" "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that their singular warning or token before them when starting upon in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Yes." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is distinguish the words: fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is of receipt of the work. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed must be when I saw the door open.' qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I am following you closely," I answered. time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I know where it is." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my instincts rose up against that laugh. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. said he at last. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian other means.' "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Yes." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled