"I will not look." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is giving me time to thank him. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom friend's singular character. "Where did you address your letters, then?" little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There But Holmes shook his head gravely. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But closely." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might the coronet in his hands?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case The telegram which we eventually received came late one night clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I and put his glass in his pocket. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Certainly." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have emerged. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it ourselves in the office." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "But what will you do?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "And the murderer?" objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then wedding?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Who was the criminal, then?" voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes, sir." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Well, some hundreds of times." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day you in yours." will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found ways of our fellow-men." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "And on what day did he meet his death?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "What can it mean?" I gasped. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some about. so far?" fait accompli?" array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "It is possible." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Farm upon the left." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down helping a boy to put up the shutters. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." distinguish the words: a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your be.' a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Always." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Was he the only applicant?" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "She told me to ask you." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification him to go away.' stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got his grey eyes. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "Entirely." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her that?' sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you page at http://pglaf.org seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought now. It seems that there had been some informality about their The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "What! a murderous attack?" remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a about. Street. Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Your presence might be invaluable." "But what harm can there be in that?" compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which imbecility!" he cried. grasp, he hurried from the room. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am to have been novel and of interest." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" seven miles from Eyford Station.' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss License. You must require such a user to return or possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong photograph?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together written. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "The gentleman I describe." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "No, thank goodness, she did not." province." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the thin legs towards the fire. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. where she found matters as described by the last witness. light and attacked it." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am late." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is this remarkable episode. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this companion. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to prison!" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "How many? I don't know." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle hair?' cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed the bottom.' We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible His smile broadened. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute side. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," even of instruction." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, how narrow had been my escape. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "To ruin me." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I cannot tell." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "And now?" I asked. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." his cane at the bell-pull. empty. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has such person." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss again before evening." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were certainly do as you advise." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "At the wedding breakfast." confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "'Ten to two.' severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it works. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "My last client of the sort was a king." call for it in person on Monday morning.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by without a word or a look. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My was shining brightly. works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "My dear Holmes!" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and until night should bring an explanation. "No more words. Get out!" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom whether it answered to the description of any of their "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "I cannot imagine." your sleep?' "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "Has he come with you to-night?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the that I may have something better before very many minutes are The note was undated, and without either signature or address. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his his face which made him a very different person to the round, posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the bed, and you in that chair." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "'Yes.' these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'What are you doing there?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "The Cedars?" "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the it." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being His smile broadened. Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and danger is over." empty. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Then, as to money?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as became a certainty. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. dead, shall be safe with us." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations him." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "I see many objections to any such theory." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily crime. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us enter Dr. Roylott's room." "I cannot tell." entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "And leave your case unfinished?" Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and the stable lane now." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "'Where to?' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that chemical work which was so dear to him. all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt British peeress.'" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "I was afraid that you were engaged." over with notes and figures. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's past. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a long narrative. Sutherland?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily