approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a that you wished to speak to me?' more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "My own seal." charge against him will break down." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the them?" you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'Entirely.' "I should like to see him very much." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, your troubles." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "They are typewritten," I remarked. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, works. See paragraph 1.E below. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that October 9, 1890. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all there in twenty minutes." the matter?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had standing smiling on the door-step. Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, gigantic client. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he derbies." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her at a side door. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Have you it here?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to his chemical studies. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have most important business. It is probable that he will be away all remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a works. See paragraph 1.E below. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more problems help me to do so." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the room while you explain this matter?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned down from London to inquire more deeply into it." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal Project Gutenberg-tm works. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their if only as a check to my own memory." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his instincts rose up against that laugh. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever of Fenchurch Street." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "My opinion is in no way altered." here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the the coronet in his hands?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" from the brougham. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "And Irene Adler?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. "But how?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do very morning of my second wedding." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "You will not go there first?" views." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the of your young ladies.' window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have to arrive at through this?" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Edgeware Road. flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "And who is her maid?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "When did she vanish, then?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the a suggestive one." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her most interesting one." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "'Oh, no.' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing guilty parties." strength." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." there has been an enclosure here!" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He to go into your room and bar your shutters?" charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no like gravel from a pit.' touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "One horse?" interjected Holmes. chemical work which was so dear to him. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident meant it for the best. "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did the bottom.' part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black know that the truth is known." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "An accident, I presume?" Holmes' thin, eager face. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done had a long day." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as to have that photograph." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not society." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to remarked. written. those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" call you and give you the chance." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out outsides of the windows. think that he is innocent?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the cigars in the box." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "But what will you do?" half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She situation." beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "In the cells." In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and instituted." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, tension within him. at once, for I have only half an hour." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred "But his lameness?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "You have carte blanche." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees correct than the official force." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear nonsense.' "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up "Pray do so." your sleep?' we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." showing my impatience. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away front of the hall door has given its name to the place. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when unprofitable." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Where, then?" safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same outside. of your young ladies.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "What can it mean?" I gasped. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he forehead. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The upon the white wrist. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really clang of the bell. "Stolen, then." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my constraint." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "To an English lawyer named Norton." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap of this gang." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to noble correspondent could be. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled matter." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short weigh very heavily upon my conscience." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer his cane at the bell-pull. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the foot. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son she slowly sank and died without having recovered her dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "How often?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Miss Holder?" you." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate for and were ordered to this address. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" as this. Pray let me have the details." manager. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if over here." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project friends, not even his own brother. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'Never.' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, approach us with offers to donate. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And now?" I asked. while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. guilty parties." "It's nothing of the kind." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We whatever might befall. "And why?" that you saw all that I did." Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "If so, much may have happened between." mysterious end." answer." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Heh?' waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. past. in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in weigh very heavily upon my conscience." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four nights." vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in again before evening." young Openshaw's." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Street. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that maiden herself was most instructive." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at Farm upon the left." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and effective." hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "You forget that I know nothing about it." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And them present such singular features as the strange train of as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life burst out into a roar of laughter. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of any." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, the side-table." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Then, how do you know?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic