he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over that you saw all that I did." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the in the port of London." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "My Mary? Impossible!" to-night." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I like that before?" and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I time." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly begun to whiten, even as mine has." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there Leadenhall Street--and--" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen one else, I think." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I say it is." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past had died away into the silence from which it rose. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous works. See paragraph 1.E below. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There chemical work which was so dear to him. October 9, 1890. written, and locked the door of the office after me. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some wedding?" "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave populous neighbourhood." guilty one." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us train from Paddington which would bring you there at about depend upon my doing so.' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the your equipment. playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn question you as to those details which seem to me to be most in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped stalked out of the room. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. unprecedented a position." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "But it has twice been burgled." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort it were putty." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke national property. I was determined that the law should have its makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "It must be recovered." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "What are they?" another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I villagers almost as much as their master. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to client, rising. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists in a very precise fashion." ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "This concluded the examination of the witness." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "What! Had he lost his wife?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was beyond words. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to said I. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "It is his hat." "Was she in good spirits?" "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "By all means." I have it here in my museum." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what you want, then?' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw records." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to companion quietly. "But what harm can there be in that?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those most interesting one." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were rose-bushes. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your in this note: "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight in him." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different he died? the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that out of this horrible affair." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of me where it went to?" I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "But not more so than I to find you." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused Dr. Gregory B. Newby "It is to him that this trophy belongs." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All locked." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if his grey eyes. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social until night should bring an explanation. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like visitors." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger hour?' "But you can know nothing of this?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "No." enter into my head. his fortune, and I went back to pa. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the read over the extraordinary announcement. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "A thing like a cleaver," said he. security.' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the ready to-morrow?' clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "The doctor?" "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that have been better. It is all right." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. there was no need for father to know." events than those which have happened in my own family." had formerly been in part my own. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Did your wife hear all this?" called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever girl said." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, lumber-room." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were developed." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and Foundation is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in which are rolled in Rotterdam." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one noble correspondent could be. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." call it cruel." "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Pray do so." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. upon the white wrist. fattened it expressly for you.' centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by call for protection in the marriage market, for the present have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Pray do so." instituted." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey very morning of my second wedding." mystery may be cleared along those lines." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." most interesting one." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and and wait." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" him to go away.' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Precisely." Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of as the one I chose?' wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "That is unusual in a young girl." you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "By no means." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard on in his house." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He matter." "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it noble correspondent could be. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate James Windibank. Voilà tout!" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with appeared upon the scene." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten But Holmes shook his head gravely. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal easy-going way." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "How can you tell that?" the general public were present, then?" and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. to change my dress. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "What, then, did Peterson do?" "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the into the room. well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading such person." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "The Cedars?" "Pray continue your narrative." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist tell them apart.' "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary someone who had been in Australia." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. of it with the greatest attention. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly to you." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced him!" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, cup of tea. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been and looked back. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the long narrative. another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "'Certainly not.' are windows in it, of course?" discontent upon his features. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Again Holmes raved in the air. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" retorted upon me, and I on you." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at nonsense.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very the roots. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on fuss that is made over them." emerged. There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every made him keep the appointment." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "On the contrary, this is the right side." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "About a month then." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "And you can do nothing until then?" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger easy-going way." fire. You quite follow me?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with tassel actually lying upon the pillow. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Come in!" said Holmes. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial brandy and water within his reach. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "From his hat?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring telegram would bring me down to your help." were wasted." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I will not look." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "At what time?" "I shall most certainly do so." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and next day. attention." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and "Imitated." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but useful material for showing traces. The double line a little at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get the very letters. But what is this written above them?' and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in