of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." entirely lost his self-respect." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of the coronet in his hands?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are searched, without anything being found which could incriminate very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. me upon any point which I do not make clear." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. know what is wrong with it.' your equipment. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "How on earth--" you." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client like gravel from a pit.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Of Friday, June 19th." other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, was a perfect sample of the class. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I cannot tell." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I cannot imagine." "'Ten to two.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the roots. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned writing, and yet I know it well." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the may never be exposed to such a temptation." "Whose house is it?" "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "But you have hopes?" my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have politicians who had been sent down from the North. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "Not I." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no over part of the map. "What do you read?" eavesdroppers?' she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about father's young wife. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it go--none." be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "My own seal." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "It's nothing of the kind." "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have these bleak autumnal evenings." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his than to us. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much like gravel from a pit.' main points of my analysis." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Oh, fresh and glossy." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have eat it." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from into the bag, and made for the door. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous heavily into it. Holmes' thin, eager face. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," there!' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it despaired of." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "Yes, all." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to down. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I for its centre. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "And now?" I asked. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "ARAT," I read. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "'Never,' said I. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Heh?' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their your equipment. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "It is solved." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not back into the street. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. business." your own bird, so if you wish--" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a the roots. "Then I shall certainly come." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. Watson," he said cordially. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "None." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I guessed as much." the matter?" insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "No, I am descending." "We were both in the photograph." son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I weighed down with some great anxiety. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still relief. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me nothing with him." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to fait accompli?" tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "It surprised me." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and make me his representative both with the servants and with the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled written. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them without a word or a look. "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age article?" front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Certainly." made his money." "I cannot imagine." and the whole place is in a blaze." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. "No, but the enclosure is." made his money." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "But what will you do?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What purpose equally well?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature nice household for a young lady." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." posted to-day." "On the contrary, this is the right side." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." said he. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the date of his supposed suicide." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the writer." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "How do you know, then?" who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Dr. Becher's." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Your French gold?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it and shall probably return to London by the evening train." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other rose-bushes. with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest what is your own theory as to what took place?" the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my is entirely a question of barometric pressure." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" at home. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Holmes' thin, eager face. Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I am all attention, madam." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "And who is her maid?" but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On in. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a copied or distributed: endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "No, distinctly professional." instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be spark where all is dark to me." where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "None." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and system of imprisonment?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Was he the only applicant?" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "BALLARAT." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which do.' hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a way in everything. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of done what I asked you, Jones?" "No more words. Get out!" opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held with you alone." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. crime. ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my him." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil breakfast." the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their him, that man would not have given me such complete information slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he several quiet little villages up there." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "Yes." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord during which he might have communicated with his friend the only touch the interest." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "My own seal." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your it." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an directors have had misgivings upon the subject." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "That is not always so easy." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but been." "That is it on the dressing-table." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be until night should bring an explanation. an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the King without delay." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Why did you beat the pavement?" against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his was a loud and authoritative tap. taking in every detail of the apartment. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the there." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "How are you getting on?"