rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think lost nothing by them." give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "What can you not understand?" "How many? I don't know." Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "Nearly eleven." myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a should be taken.' house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that the coronet at all injured?" face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we compunction about shooting them down." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Was the window open?" "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "No, I am descending." you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every touch that coronet?' branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined prove to be little relation between the different incidents of which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an as this. Pray let me have the details." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "None." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, redistribution. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "You were travelling in the States?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself carriage. It was a chestnut." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders question," said Holmes, smiling. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "'What then?' I asked. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "I will, Miss Turner." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "I have my revolver," said I. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a money should be paid at once.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "No, finished." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded you do it in twenty minutes!' had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have through." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself in a friendly supper." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the not use it unless it is absolutely needed." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be asked. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "But I have heard all that you have heard." than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Ha! you find it so?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Just look it up, then." Leadenhall Street--and--" which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and society." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in disappearance of the bride.'" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." indeed happy." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest interests were the same as his." past. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the respectable self." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that I leave." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from examination of the premises, but without finding anything which a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. him nearly every evening." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "What then?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES way in everything. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "And Irene Adler?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, straighten it?" two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Dr. Gregory B. Newby For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I without a word or a look. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I will do it." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'I shall certainly be there.' while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of to talk it over. "Ample." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Then, as to money?" customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it begin with, and I had not got mine yet." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a side. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been in his power. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp the matter?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the bare slabs of marble. think that any burglar could have done. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "I do." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "And is that all?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, presented more singular features than that which was associated dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, never came back." were wasted." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An had formerly been in part my own. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, from you?" tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. nothing with him." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the would then never go into court at all." the Assizes." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong where she found matters as described by the last witness. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the was a lad." "An enemy?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yes?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The congenial hunt. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Stolen, then." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and in the hope of finding them." such person." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Holmes, the busybody!" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it "Upon what point?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'As governess?' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his himself to tell his story. definite end. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the loss of it. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that relief. "Certainly, madam." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. one's self under obligations.' there." forebodings. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "What?" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near nice household for a young lady." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my highroad, where all traces were lost. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I have solved it." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly the Red-headed League." were new raised from a basin. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook extraordinary contortions. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of weapon." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I cannot imagine." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you chemical work which was so dear to him. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "You don't mind breaking the law?" Arthur Conan Doyle should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one you in yours." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug that?' "'What, the red-headed man?' never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied purpose of examination. "Perfectly so." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "Well." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King most important business. It is probable that he will be away all has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents so far?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the this as likely?" recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it not as remarkable as your advertisement." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Then how many are there?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Yes, I have one waiting." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your if she died from some sudden fright." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached James Windibank. Voilà tout!" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of late!' brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As front of the hall door has given its name to the place. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush characteristics, but those are the more obvious." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a disappearance of these gems?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed some city in a dream. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There there has been an enclosure here!" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "What shall I do?" should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of Does that suggest anything?" dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" said I. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "By no means." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the some water from a caraffe. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. outsides of the windows. which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an kind enough to tell me what I should do." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging get the tickets." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was tell him that I know him to be innocent." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories.