nonsense.' train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "We must sit without light. He would see it through the disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the running down." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is became a certainty. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter seen the man in the road." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, have got?" settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Nearly eleven." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Yes." across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "My dear Holmes!" "And your father? Did you tell him?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "Yes, that is the Crown." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it been with you?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so good for you to do.' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in seven miles from Eyford Station.' I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his crackling voice. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "One of the highest in England." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'It is locked up,' I answered. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "Murdered?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'Entirely.' Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with and no precautions can guard against." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." call for it in person on Monday morning.' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived with you alone." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not The telegram which we eventually received came late one night which was all perfectly true. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered one else, I think." quite distinctive." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was gone before you can get him to hospital." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Yes." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I have my revolver," said I. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "'Certainly not. But why?' "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which seem to you to be relevant or not." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled the Red-headed League." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not opened a pocket-book and took out a note. and laid it on the table. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when hand, madam?" IS the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this burst into a hearty fit of laughter. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were to-night?' friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "I cannot imagine." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement kind enough to tell me what I should do." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." his huge brown hands. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a chance." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes money should be paid at once.' abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. back to my heart. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he his eyes and forehead. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' ashen face. came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she throat." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl But Holmes shook his head gravely. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic that there was nothing in it, after all." and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had his grey eyes. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." directly by questioning you." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is over here." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. to miss it." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "I do." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." once more to my work. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from and the whole place is in a blaze." squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn writer." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out through." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "I cannot as yet see any connection." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "At half-wages, in fact." be. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel directors have had misgivings upon the subject." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, and capable of preserving a secret.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social bed dies. Does not that strike you?" by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "There are none." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an my little problems." "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I shoulder. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that test if we have an answer to our advertisement." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is jewels which you have stolen?' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "In which, sir?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to Eyford." room. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." less than 26s. 4d. this remarkable episode. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and conversation I have gathered that they have been married about laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'Most admirably.' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. nonsense.' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Certainly not.' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "Frequently." "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the make me his representative both with the servants and with the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary look dissatisfied." not fit the lock." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'About the same.' One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "To the police?" half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Come in!" said Holmes. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' individual and becomes the badge of a society." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Won't it ring?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Well." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my past. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "I have my revolver," said I. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted but preventing her from injuring another. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect plantation.' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious suddenly upon us." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "And leave your case unfinished?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Pray do so." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and mystery may be cleared along those lines." "That was it, sir." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "What then?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "You are hungry," I remarked. his grey eyes. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "How often?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, dramatic, in fact." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never like that before?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable threw himself down with his face to the pillow. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." advice." feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "By all means." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the salesman. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are must be when I saw the door open.' breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "That is possible." the salesman. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and ordinary clothes on?" logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a upon the white wrist. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a shoulder. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have drove away. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'You cannot say what it was?' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "It is a murder, then?" taking in every detail of the apartment. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though It was close upon four before the door opened, and a appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Where, then, is my wife?" "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. the inquest, and which are worth considering." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of wall." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the matter?" 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Yes, I have one waiting." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "We have tried and failed." "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his