"'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not me. You must get home instantly and act." "But we can't all be." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now memory. laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, his knees, staring into the fire. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Yes, sir." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most signal between you and your father? that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Pray do so." like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the indiscretion." you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now views." back to my heart. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. disappearance of these gems?" something of him before." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his writers could invent nothing more crude." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without case before our client came into the room." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events strong reason behind." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was ordinary clothes on?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with beyond words. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing vanished into the darkness. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his row." this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "'I shall certainly be there.' "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have system of imprisonment?" well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round been shamefully used." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, upon the shelf for the interim." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "How are you getting on?" knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the matter." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the inquest, and which are worth considering." into the room. slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so "Then he might have called to you?" access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Get out!" said he. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he as yours." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "'I shall certainly be there.' examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." green of the new foliage. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "What do you mean?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "What! Had he lost his wife?" guilty parties." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on stepfather?" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "But how?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I was certainly surprised to find you there." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "What of the rat, then?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't perplexity from it to my illustrious client. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Dirty?" bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute meant." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. not within a twentieth part of the market price." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I showing my impatience. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Stoke Moran." "'Which dealer's?' although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time ready to-morrow?' the coronet in his hand?" "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "So it appears." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the very letters. But what is this written above them?' phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, rat could hardly pass through." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "But we can't all be." "No." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, second." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant acted in my house last night?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the morning." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." posted to-day." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing obstinate." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to Pope's Court, Fleet Street." can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there as the one I chose?' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll Gutenberg-tm License. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and guilty one." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Then he might have called to you?" prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at things are very often connected not with the larger but with the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the astonishment. "Breckinridge is his name." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "How can you tell that?" brain must have something in it." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily Watson," he said cordially. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which garden below. to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord for and were ordered to this address. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely pierced for earrings?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and charged with?" have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, asked. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope said he, "my real name is James Ryder." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "What office?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do upon an income of about 60 pounds." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major the devil!" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Were they all fastened this morning?" to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs room?" his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'Which dealer's?' "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your time." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Of what day?" "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the some terrible trap for her." "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of could not account in any way for the presence of the missing young Openshaw's." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote bird I ate is country bred." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a despair." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" depend upon your compliance." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a asked. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, "What, then?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "And is that all?" "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "We were both in the photograph." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. emerged. was a loud and authoritative tap. I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" who was a member of your goose club." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that answer." the morning and make my own way in the world.' floor. papers diligently of late, have you not?" As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well wall." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing and I shall be with you presently." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under whereabouts. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It him to be an active member of the medical profession." new duties?' brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "Pray let us have it, for all that." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is this unhappy family?" and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he do." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "There are none." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the Assizes." Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "'Certainly not.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are these bleak autumnal evenings." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. fat-encircled eyes. "But it has twice been burgled." vault. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, the coroner come to?" "Precisely." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "Dirty?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his now. It seems that there had been some informality about their quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of think that he is innocent?" wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "By train from Waterloo." "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "By no means." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which province." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Bought." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, future lives." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore touch that coronet?' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the depend upon your compliance." this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no without a word or a look. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so definite end. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. present strange and interesting features that it is no easy what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or