"'And how far from the edge of the wood?' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." The events in question occurred in the early days of my full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two who was a member of your goose club." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is flock.' possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I will get her to show me." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Were they all fastened this morning?" breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "No." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Yes. He waved his hands." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, you?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "And sit in the dark?" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the the stones. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow friend's singular character. "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, that I may have something better before very many minutes are mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save husband's writing, madam." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" wanted for ourselves." weary and pale-looking. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most his knees, staring into the fire. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the see a sister of mine apply for." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up feature." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I noble correspondent could be. see me here to avoid scandal." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "I assure you that I am in your hands." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some crowd. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the stable lane now." and a shock of very red hair. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, appeared upon the scene." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no a room. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is voice. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue beg that you will break it off." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Yes, from Horsham." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "No good news?" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed vault. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "Then I am your man." "Upon what point?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the my secret was safe in his possession. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "What can it mean?" I gasped. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have strange features which were associated with the two crimes which home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful States. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "But he might be a bachelor." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the his face which made him a very different person to the round, stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "It is solved." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already is a common subject for conversation. meanly of me." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, happened." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "None." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If stalked out of the room. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become people don't know." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. astonishment. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Eh? What was that?" "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "And sit in the dark?" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Have you it here?" deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to relation between them, and what the object of his repeated carried out of court." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about criminal. We have already had experience of such." is now desirous of getting those letters back." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "And from a noble client?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of least a fellow-countryman. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Married! When?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "It is very clear." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "I think that it is very probable." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank "I cannot imagine." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by children over to America with him, so that I found myself without would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing breakfast and whispered something to her husband. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, of campaign. matter." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some national property. I was determined that the law should have its showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "A client, then?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." prepare for the new role I have to play." but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "'Yes, I promise.' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "You horrify me." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning remarked. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered and laid it on the table. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." door?" his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural newspaper selections." nonsense.' "I am in hopes that she does." rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and From what you have told me I think that it is possible that 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work whole matter to your consideration." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Seven!" I answered. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on you?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and files of the old papers, following the future career of every surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, was used.' unprecedented a position." of your young ladies.' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "And sit in the dark?" Literary Archive Foundation "That is unusual in a young girl." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some thin, with a long, sharp nose?" clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Pray let us have it, for all that." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "'You doubt its value?' he asked. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, politicians who had been sent down from the North. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of she to prove their authenticity?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "And it is--" bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since business." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Yesterday." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "That's no good." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "Not in a good cause." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Breckinridge is his name." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then chill to my heart. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was and looked back. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the salesman. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that several quiet little villages up there." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, the inner apartment." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At nothing of it?" "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and hour." "My Mary? Impossible!" written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat crime. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has definite end. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. back into the street. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Yes." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our The police have openly confessed that they can at present make cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Dr. Gregory B. Newby was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened then?" by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have the coronet in his hand?" rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in so.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in a suggestive one." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Street. separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one made him keep the appointment." next day. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "We were both in the photograph." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the she to prove their authenticity?" "And leave your case unfinished?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. careless servant girl?" them present such singular features as the strange train of force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, of his shoulders. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? you for a few hours?" him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every affair. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I him to be an active member of the medical profession." down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "Always." voice, changing her seat as requested. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some of the way of danger. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Project Gutenberg-tm works. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "You will not go there first?" said Mr. Holder. certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the over part of the map. "What do you read?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Stoke Moran?" said he. least a most suspicious remark." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry next day. crime. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "Ah!" astonishment. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is that, and I came down." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: closing the door. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "What steps will you take?" I asked. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We something of him before." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "In San Francisco, a year ago." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under out." hopeless attempt at recovering them." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any noting anything else of interest. "You were travelling in the States?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time the coroner come to?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes woven round him. is four-and-twenty." of the one which your family is now devouring." the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "It is a murder, then?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses burst out into a roar of laughter. "10th. John Swain cleared. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great to a more successful conclusion." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of lips." had a long day." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner