"Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "No sign of it?" coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "And how have you succeeded?" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "What, then, did Peterson do?" "Not particularly." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "I say it is." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. himself in a perplexing position. dear old homesteads?" sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The the inner apartment." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." present." located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. was lame." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very The events in question occurred in the early days of my quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in I shall continue with my miserable story. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" recover the gem." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit with frightened eyes at his accuser. the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last digesting their breakfasts at home." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Thank you. Pray proceed." photograph a cabinet?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving recall any case within my experience which looked at the first another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some was a loud and authoritative tap. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "But who is he?" puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside 1.F. "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more some city in a dream. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even From what you have told me I think that it is possible that years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" placed his cuttings. client, rising. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, could not have written that. It is the German who is so will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do did not hear it also.' drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I shall be delighted." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use in your London, you will know that the office of the company is carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner Holmes rather sternly. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost whether it answered to the description of any of their traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "He is dead," cried several voices. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to away to you." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave just called myself is not exactly my own." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is absorbing." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, papers must be those that are destroyed.' a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'In my own bureau.' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." II. giving me time to thank him. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to nothing of it?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter tied." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little details." vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Nothing." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his gigantic client. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental License. You must require such a user to return or SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "That also I could fathom." observed. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must his forehead." maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Where, then, is my wife?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was locked." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of Heh?' it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "None." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall happened." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one companion. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled tear off another piece?' life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I only touch the interest." constraint." "But not more so than I to find you." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Yes." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here hair?' to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and quickly through a disagreeable task. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. 1.F. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in three fields round his house, and there he would take his that he has suffered." "Dark enough and sinister enough." The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Holmes, the busybody!" doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." me where it went to?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Again Holmes raved in the air. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, memory. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "'Quite sure, dad.' bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my second window is the one that I jumped from." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. at my own good fortune. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account there is a decided draught." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the little opening for the ventilator is." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, straighten it?" American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian forehead. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "You horrify me!" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway call the police, let the police find what they can.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "But you would not advise me to refuse?" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much you." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "That also I could fathom." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers I nodded again. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to a more successful conclusion." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, character. mysterious business." 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Perfectly so." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Pool. adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "What then?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as horse could go." "I cannot imagine." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is companion. "The rest you will leave in our hands." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but the matter?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the to me. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "'Then let me do so?' "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I should be so warm over such a trifle." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him been." "What! You do not mean bodies?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out remarked. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly man. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "No, but the enclosure is." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Yes." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." said he. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent closing the door. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven photograph a cabinet?" the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It wedding?" marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "But you were on a friendly footing?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch which we had just quitted. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider see a sister of mine apply for." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose http://www.gutenberg.net explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "It is very clear." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I should like to see him very much." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As my former friend and companion. We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "'Entirely.' "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "No, I had a dozen." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am might have a private word with us. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project within hail.' to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "'And the work?' giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the me have 200 pounds?' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I gentleman's clothes. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Then I shall certainly come." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "'There is a drive, then?' Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "But he might be a bachelor." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Surrey." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, for securing the situation." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his the very letters. But what is this written above them?' him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked in a very precise fashion." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and have I gained?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes without a word or a look. already referred to. coat-tails." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry exactly what you advise." "Pray do so." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four was lame." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same know that the truth is known." in a very precise fashion." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to envelope. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside charged with?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me married her." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from companion. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Then you may entirely rely on me." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "I came to find a friend." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to were unconscious?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and chance." his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "I say that I have solved it." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from attention." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "By no means." tied." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at and I shall be with you presently." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "'Most admirably.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a