every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall were wasted." "Here?" superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much definite end. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I other means.' While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become in my life." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with present." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "It is very kind of you." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At of the vacancies.' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "And did you observe any change in her then?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the running down." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the stable lane now." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "You will not go there first?" parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every criminal. We have already had experience of such." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and eat it." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should papers on the sundial.'" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his tapping his fingers upon the table. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for rat could hardly pass through." call you and give you the chance." "How on earth--" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I who was a member of your goose club." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other strange features which were associated with the two crimes which which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "I have hopes." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three unprecedented a position." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my depend upon your compliance." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the later, upon the night of May 2nd." Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'Ample.' "None." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Then I do not see the point." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "And your mother is alive?" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how Mary, has deserted me." weapon." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "But he might be a bachelor." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "At what time?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that he bowed and left the room without another word. forbidden door. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" you." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client arrested. You then--" the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. light and attacked it." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and posted to-day." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his vanished into the darkness. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" crowd. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the writers could invent nothing more crude." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon McCarthy." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a roused himself from his reverie. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, second." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut something of him before." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all colonel looking down at me. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, were unconscious?" Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his bonnet, and went out." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "No, I had a dozen." "One?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and that he would see to anything that turned up. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. outbreak?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my will take you up to see the machine.' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Serpentine Avenue. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the paper in the air. the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith did not hear it also.' thirty. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was once more. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it late!' "But I have heard all that you have heard." is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and careless servant girl?" the very morning of the wedding." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of as he remarks, very much against the son." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "And the murderer?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the national property. I was determined that the law should have its was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of wall." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in future lives." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Mrs. Toller serenely. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as anything to do with the matter?" "But of what society?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the window, rose as we entered. unclasping of his long thin hands. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. salesman. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the trifles." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and experiences." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, allusion to a rat. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "You have carte blanche." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner question. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his points to suicide?" "Look there!" said he. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his the general public were present, then?" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either Holmes." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some acquaintance?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Very much so." disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "Oh, yes, easily." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I so.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "But how could you guess what the motive was?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up it means?" years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked directly by questioning you." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the introspective fashion. 'please.'" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'Yes, I promise.' "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Well, some hundreds of times." "Your presence might be invaluable." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of it with his own hands." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "What I expected to see." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. over here." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "You will not go there first?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." father's young wife. "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be you?" sneer upon his pale face. of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'Why that?' I asks. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." it right.' deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what in this way: them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Of Friday, June 19th." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "'Ample.' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. beyond words. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." hard-headed British jury." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the there in twenty minutes." with you?" would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into any little problem which you may submit to me." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in himself. strength in the others." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At child?' how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or whereabouts. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you points in connection with it which never have been, and probably was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Not particularly." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. to talk it over. that you can jump it.' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "'I have heard so.' bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will shall not find me ungrateful." "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so