was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears business in the City. She little knew what. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. dates and names. me what he had done with the three missing stones. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and works. See paragraph 1.E below. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and off." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Very much so." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words threw himself down with his face to the pillow. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by people in all walks of life. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and of the way of danger. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Precisely." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very will find little credit to be gained out of this case." character. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the knowledge of the world." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "On your arm?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my there has been an enclosure here!" handed it to him. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the outsides of the windows. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as know all about it," he snarled. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some in the dead of the night?' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "It is very clear." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." papers on the sundial.'" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to always that they were such commands as a lady might with might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my wanted for ourselves." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Stolen, then." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "And how did you find out?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. cigars in their mouths. "Have you it here?" "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." whatever might befall. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I annoyance, but no jest. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I train from Paddington which would bring you there at about you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, least a fellow-countryman. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "What have you to say now?" noise which awoke you from your sleep?" and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "How do you know, then?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At his face. Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did the south-west, I see." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Well, but China?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "Then, as to money?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an that I may have something better before very many minutes are the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "I cannot tell." "'Why that?' I asks. "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "'About the same.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw of." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "I will get her to show me." "Yes, sir." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for better in every way that they should make their position a little home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her Gutenberg-tm License. "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when way in everything. "You are all wrong." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "I cannot tell." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple business at Coburg Square is serious." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "He said that you could solve anything." Doctor, of the paper and the date." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and in the dead of the night?' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "A greater distance to travel." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "He said that you could solve anything." if she died from some sudden fright." "Well." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was long narrative. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "'Certainly not.' tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such good for you to do.' "I cannot tell." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic indeed which he could not unravel. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." least a most suspicious remark." to surprise her." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official had formerly been in part my own. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Not yet." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "That is it on the dressing-table." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, "Eh? What was that?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "But he might be a bachelor." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell cigars in their mouths. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "None." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my question," said Holmes, smiling. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "'Yes, I promise.' "No legal papers or certificates?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's unclasping of his long thin hands. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small attention." was shining brightly. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." crime." for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. fluttered off among the others. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "What of the rat, then?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "You think so, too?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. or in danger--" which I could not give. He asked for Alice. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Never to return." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Very murderous indeed." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at legal crime." his wife has ceased to love him." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "But you can know nothing of this?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had morning." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "And what did you see?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else 'I should be able to look after that for you.' have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake empty. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," union?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Quite so. She has her freedom." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that national property. I was determined that the law should have its had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." if she died from some sudden fright." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Perfectly so." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to in this way: large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'In my own bureau.' "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may posted to-day." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." himself. of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding definite end. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive to have that photograph." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life without success. At last the little money which I had saved began while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered to have been novel and of interest." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the some city in a dream. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, spare." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "None." house for five minutes.' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting have been better. It is all right." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of come either from the window or the door. My attention was poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Have you her photograph?" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "And you thought he was pulled back?" from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not Arthur Conan Doyle "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was of fine shops and stately business premises that they really this truth that in these little records of our cases which you There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, was used.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Not I." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed hardly wander." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Surrey." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "What are they?" "Your presence might be invaluable." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but several quiet little villages up there." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be did not hear it also.' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back something of him before." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." as the one I chose?' key of the affair now." happened." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I directly by questioning you." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to conceal it?" "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "And you can do nothing until then?" "What then?" "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What! a murderous attack?" compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had