beyond words. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work passage and a tap at the door. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg and your relations to her." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "We have tried and failed." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it keep the flames under. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly persecution?" appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of have established a very serious case against the son of the had a long day." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "And how?" keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I fear not." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Then I can wait in the next room." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" my secret was safe in his possession. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "In answer to an advertisement." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the inquest, and which are worth considering." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the where she found matters as described by the last witness. his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "'Certainly not. But why?' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Look there!" said he. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "In what way?" asked Holmes. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY late." together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the were wasted." is," said he presently: breakfast?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "I am following you closely," I answered. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds was once confined in the cab my mission was practically vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than works. "Quite so. She has her freedom." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Miss Holder?" lost his Christmas dinner." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous during the last few years, and there are many noble families to common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. papers." "Has he come with you to-night?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." through." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him whereabouts. feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the a little more before I quite committed myself. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the been deceived." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "But how will you look?" have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down burst into a hearty fit of laughter. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Was there a secret marriage?" bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." gone before you can get him to hospital." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker nice household for a young lady." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "Do you receive much company?" he asked. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. this unhappy family?" no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream walking." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "In which, sir?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Deserted you?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, Farm upon the left." way in everything. if she died from some sudden fright." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last more solid." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the depend upon my doing so.' "Was there a secret marriage?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I interests were the same as his." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have meant it for the best. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Yes, but only for you and me." considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old him nearly every evening." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his not fit the lock." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the read it out to me." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, awkward doing business with an alias." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal it." "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "Will you go?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell like that before?" "No, I am descending." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "What of the rat, then?" which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of as yours." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Sholtos." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce waste of energy." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "Did he not advertise?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "But how?" Mary, has deserted me." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich we went to search for him, face downward in a little about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them despair." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed of his shoulders. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's wife's character?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "The best possible." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. strong reason behind." the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he questionable one." States. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in McCarthy's innocence. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "But I have heard all that you have heard." was a loud and authoritative tap. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets his wife has ceased to love him." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from was a lad." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and upon the white wrist. "Game for a morning drive?" understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "What, then?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Dr. Gregory B. Newby society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "Nothing." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my was feeling which was the fattest.' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a late." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his and shall probably return to London by the evening train." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. tightly behind him. Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Pope's Court, Fleet Street." face and glided from the room. "What I expected to see." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I companion. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out place of silver." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they country, and eventually married, without anyone having a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and as yours." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. to change my dress. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we him to go away.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible washing it down with a long draught of water. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. weary and pale-looking. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City to arrive at through this?" yards of it?' then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with think, you have already met." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' questioning and rather startled gaze. "Very. But will he see it?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Her father is very rich?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the DISSOLVED. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Married! When?" developed." equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "'Yes, sir.' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should already been minutely examined." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and him!" any more." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "I will do it." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and again, where I was soon asleep. delighted to hear it," he said. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us himself. did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father carpenter." of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "What can you not understand?" bears upon the case?" Holmes' face clouded over. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. indeed happy." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking your only hope of safety." comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." the inner apartment." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "And your mother is alive?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I am not easy in my mind about them." it? Did I buy the geese off you?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." how narrow had been my escape. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Doctor, of the paper and the date." "And that is--" "'What do you call purely nominal?' "You have carte blanche." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Literary Archive Foundation fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed you understand?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Not social, then?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom over with notes and figures. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, hardly wander." Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To the best of training." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to talk it over. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Holmes, the busybody!" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you present." thin legs towards the fire. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." served to weaken the effect. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold I have it here in my museum." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer lamp. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me down. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" posted to-day." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I me upon any point which I do not make clear." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite