rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By grasp, he hurried from the room. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we to tell." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "To an English lawyer named Norton." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "No good news?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Who by?" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to had picked up in the wood. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with locked." and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like directors have had misgivings upon the subject." said he. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Perhaps I have." all-comprehensive glances. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "But how?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible throat." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a and capable of preserving a secret.' master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK over part of the map. "What do you read?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" was not a bird to be seen there. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began seen the man in the road." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham introspective fashion. "Nothing." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had I nodded to show that I had heard. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court enter Dr. Roylott's room." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Then I do not see the point." sake, don't!" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Come in!" said he. that?' second." "At what time?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Quite so." "Were they all fastened this morning?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the murdered man." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the south-west, I see." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had constraint." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the meant it for the best. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting yet." uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of trying to your nerves." She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Yes?" saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Stolen, then." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "Yes." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head rooms." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Yes." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I warn you that they are very incomplete." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving tension within him. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William of his shoulders. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the matter." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' security.' son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw right! Sit down and let us talk it over." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not feature." moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a my special province." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. brandy and water within his reach. "I am armed." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three business." "Not in a good cause." "One of the highest in England." should be so warm over such a trifle." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a written. slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Did you become engaged then?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Always." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Thank you. Pray proceed." know what is wrong with it.' only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "He slept on the premises." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can she to prove their authenticity?" Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, me. You must get home instantly and act." "Here?" glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "In San Francisco, a year ago." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "But not more so than I to find you." "That sounds a little paradoxical." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO do.' drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a easy-going way." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the awaited us upon the table. obstinate." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "Has he come with you to-night?" Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he away into the river." are windows in it, of course?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" instituted." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Certainly." His smile broadened. "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something It was close upon four before the door opened, and a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was over here." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "But his lameness?" pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. me have 200 pounds?' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "They are typewritten," I remarked. incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "He slept on the premises." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Edgeware Road. Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and than to us. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what now. It seems that there had been some informality about their wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "What have you to say now?" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second are windows in it, of course?" living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond works. See paragraph 1.E below. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'Certainly,' I answered. and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right this unhappy family?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the stable lane now." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If than to us. 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the made his money." fat-encircled eyes. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "That you are never beaten." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "None." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "10th. John Swain cleared. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon never came back." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "The Cedars?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "It was a confession," I ejaculated. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "That is unusual in a young girl." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "'It is locked up,' I answered. the side-table." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Holmes' face clouded over. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "'What, the red-headed man?' to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "And on what day did he meet his death?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's both be extremely obliged.' "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have and effective." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "Dark enough and sinister enough." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Holmes. have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not all that?" "And you thought he was pulled back?" a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "But I am all in the dark." do.' "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in The King stared at him in amazement. "Not particularly." just ask you whether you had heard it.' "What! Had he lost his wife?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I characteristics, but those are the more obvious." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND without a word or a look. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I should wish to." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Has he come with you to-night?" the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies corner of the building. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the families. Now for the facts. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire our word." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom as he remarks, very much against the son." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming easy-going way." is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "'No, I know no one in these parts.' to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to my former friend and companion. gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Dr. Becher's." didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was rat could hardly pass through." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew