seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down past. "No." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the meanly of me." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the outbreak?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. persecution?" which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. was already answered. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built little trying to do so much typewriting?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, on re-entering her father's house?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Pray tell us what has happened to you." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "By all means." "I am in hopes that she does." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the my room." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." breakfast." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Stolen, then." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went our word." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform useful material for showing traces. The double line a little question," said Holmes, smiling. stalked out of the room. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "'Why that?' I asks. "'I shall certainly be there.' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to rooms." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest meanly of me." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the know all about it," he snarled. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but prove to be little relation between the different incidents of you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "But you would not advise me to refuse?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of a room. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Then he might have called to you?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but breakfast." breakfast." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, not come at once?" "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "But you can know nothing of this?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A States. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "And you thought he was pulled back?" his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "And you can do nothing until then?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her and put his glass in his pocket. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." chill to my heart. "But he might be a bachelor." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate The events in question occurred in the early days of my down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are a room. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. and all of them with the keenest interest. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of to a light-house. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' followed. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go into the room. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they stalked out of the room. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "It is solved." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "I should be immensely obliged to you." any." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the night.' "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "Get out!" said he. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of footfalls from the street. room. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "'Is purely nominal.' "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "No, my brougham is waiting." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in one of them." "But how will you look?" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in and effective." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are go back?" It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and seen the man in the road." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town introspective fashion. "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in power." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the Assizes." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work signal between you and your father? "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. heavy and sharp instrument." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "No." whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for test if we have an answer to our advertisement." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of weary and pale-looking. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the fait accompli?" uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel be best to do. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in and effective." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no how narrow had been my escape. "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. his face which made him a very different person to the round, Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be with her." highly," said Holmes. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Not him." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I shoulder; "he's all right." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the your own bird, so if you wish--" in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of him nearly every evening." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "In answer to an advertisement." the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "9th. McCauley cleared. Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, people in all walks of life. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" exactly what you advise." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? chill to my heart. Chief Executive and Director is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he desk. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the as yours." "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you plantation.' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, your bag." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'Most admirably.' I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the noise which awoke you from your sleep?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. prepare for the new role I have to play." gbnewby@pglaf.org abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." conclusions. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "No, I think that I'll take it." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this bird I ate is country bred." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew night.' said he. the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, presented more singular features than that which was associated carriage. It was a chestnut." "No, but the enclosure is." have one." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it and a shock of very red hair. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us keep the flames under. here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of just ask you whether you had heard it.' is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "'I shall certainly be there.' "I answered that I had not. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "'As governess?' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable During two years I have had three consultations and one small said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "No?" manager. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Not in a good cause." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a empty. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few with the outside air!" he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the inquest, and which are worth considering." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to is worth.' too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "The vanishing of the lady." could go. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 trying to your nerves." humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the gives a meaning to it." A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion with some details as to your case." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It goes to the housekeeper's room." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "What then?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements helping a boy to put up the shutters. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, straightened it out again. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Doctor, of the paper and the date." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "You saw the ventilator, too?" round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen been with you?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our