a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of out." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. gone before you can get him to hospital." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good coat-tails." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Where did you address your letters, then?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily least a fellow-countryman. gone. be sorry for having acted so harshly." crime." skylight. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, your troubles." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less plantation.' caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one mystery may be cleared along those lines." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. populous neighbourhood." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he deduce something from that?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was have been better. It is all right." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the returned to France?" backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There morning." "Why serious?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the true." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, becomes even more simple." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "What then?" to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she any." Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "That is also quite modern," said the lady. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could definite end. in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by to-night's adventure." caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I will not look." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My pity, because in other respects you would really have done very including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. asked with his eyes open. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," my former friend and companion. there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the armchair which I pushed forward for him. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Was the window open?" far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the things are very often connected not with the larger but with the inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I she slowly sank and died without having recovered her platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "What of the rat, then?" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "And you thought he was pulled back?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for all that?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich tell them apart.' "Ha! you find it so?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was experiences." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But his forehead." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a certainly do as you advise." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "10th. John Swain cleared. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must friends, not even his own brother. "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "What of the rat, then?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was foot. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, emerged. simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "What is it?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time might have a private word with us. "And the cigar-holder?" Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring experiences." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "And for present expenses?" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I you do it in twenty minutes!' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "No. His orders were to stay in the house." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and Holmes' thin, eager face. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, it were putty." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have round with crates and massive boxes. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "'Never.' perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has wall." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. now. It seems that there had been some informality about their heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this unclasping of his long thin hands. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. gone before you can get him to hospital." "Yes, all." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" spare." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping clanging. "I should like to see him very much." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which was shining brightly. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "And Miss Sutherland?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the warnings." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "I will get her to show me." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Have you her photograph?" never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his lectures into a series of tales." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He tear off another piece?' it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Where, then?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Have you her photograph?" "Was there a secret marriage?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Then the page we have seen--" "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "You have carte blanche." "Which are?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my fashion which was peculiar to him. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his Again Holmes raved in the air. which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "From his hat?" now. It seems that there had been some informality about their were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you about here speaks of his kindness to him." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the seen the man in the road." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. to have that photograph." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over entirely devoid of interest." "You were travelling in the States?" Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no your sleep?' Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "No, my brougham is waiting." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "What, then, did Peterson do?" rat could hardly pass through." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "I have my revolver," said I. roused himself from his reverie. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. charge against him will break down." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Munro.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "Proceed, then." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and highroad, where all traces were lost. followed. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "What is it?" of Fenchurch Street." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Your presence might be invaluable." man. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious the date of his supposed suicide." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "9th. McCauley cleared. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but is worth.' with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of roused himself from his reverie. enter into my head. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given awkward doing business with an alias." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "And your mother is alive?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good me. "And when will you call?" might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's trifles." "From his hat?" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an beyond words. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Always." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "The King of Scandinavia." approach us with offers to donate. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "His face fell immediately. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "Yes, the wine-cellar." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "What do you mean?" to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a weighed down with some great anxiety. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "No legal papers or certificates?" undoubtedly my uncle's." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all seem to you to be relevant or not." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an eavesdroppers?' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my passage and a tap at the door. colour had been driven from his face. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of or other trace. But how on earth--" "VIOLET HUNTER." points to suicide?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence showing my impatience. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite bears upon the case?" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My had picked up in the wood. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. conceal it?" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in help us in this matter." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear once more. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to at my remark. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Just look it up, then." His name is Francis Prosper." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "And what did you see?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "My private note-paper." the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "But we can't all be." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while cup of tea. "But I have heard all that you have heard." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his bachelor.' passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with you?' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang