"Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young developed." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain the ceiling. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "I think it very unlikely." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Yes, it would be as well." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and my special province." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, your most interesting statement." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES You can understand that this register and diary may implicate home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near not use it unless it is absolutely needed." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well should be taken.' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me should be taken.' "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away rat could hardly pass through." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "It is half-past ten now." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three indiscretion." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was distinguish the words: silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set call the police, let the police find what they can.' all-comprehensive glances. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "But what harm can there be in that?" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "'You doubt its value?' he asked. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "It is no ordinary one." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an fire. You quite follow me?" "What of the rat, then?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I fear not." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the in the hope of finding them." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "What do you make of that, Watson?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, plantation.' "It is half-past ten now." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "You have carte blanche." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, are windows in it, of course?" "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who October 9, 1890. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier was it brought him the coronet? "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Not social, then?" ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had once more for Briony Lodge. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'And what are they worth?' I asked. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and will find little credit to be gained out of this case." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can lectures into a series of tales." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me was a lad." four million human beings all jostling each other within the "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at the dangers which encompass me." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban him, that man would not have given me such complete information sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys been lifted and conveyed somewhere." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "But your client--" "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black round and wave him away like that.' shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "How do you know, then?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Nothing." affection." "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "What, then, did Peterson do?" the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "And that is--" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. arrangements." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. go from here to the Strand." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "It's nothing of the kind." of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "9th. McCauley cleared. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the companion imperturbably. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" showing my impatience. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we IS with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." there." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" legal crime." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "'Yes, it was gone.' There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "What I expected to see." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said tapping his fingers upon the table. which our visitor detailed to us. four million human beings all jostling each other within the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "'A dozen yards or so.' "Then, how do you know?" hand, madam?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I had died away into the silence from which it rose. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous grasp, he hurried from the room. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to matters immensely." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and looked back. Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "What! You do not mean bodies?" day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a writer." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom what is your own theory as to what took place?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name morning." "Your sister is dead, then?" "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went and the church but not where the lady lived." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Yes, at the mines." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his it." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I see many objections to any such theory." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent London for the present?" been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Deserted you?" help us in this matter." "I fear not." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been heavy and sharp instrument." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I have my revolver," said I. more terrible than the truth. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at read it out to me." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Oh, fresh and glossy." do.' and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I am all attention, madam." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps electronic works "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. bill, which interests me deeply." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Quite so. She has her freedom." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the devil!" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Yes, from Horsham." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'I am sure that I do not know.' of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that his grey eyes. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "'What do you call purely nominal?' forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the stepfather?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "What, then?" keep the flames under. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Where did he live, then?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "Ten will be early enough." http://gutenberg.net/license). no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven papers must be those that are destroyed.' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and and no precautions can guard against." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to directors, with the result that you have seen." the coronet in his hand?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "No legal papers or certificates?" article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "In answer to an advertisement." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. detective. "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "Certainly." you give your casting vote to?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly heavy and sharp instrument." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "It is half-past ten now." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of people in all walks of life. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to with you alone." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a to a more successful conclusion." own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. manager. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "So I heard. You have him here?" wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed 1.E.9. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "Very. But will he see it?" "And now?" I asked. possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock brain must have something in it." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this death." fashion which was peculiar to him. building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me families. Now for the facts. Holmes rather sternly. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have the salesman. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. of the vacancies.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "And the murderer?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "Was your sister dressed?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry you in yours." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a golden eyeglasses. "And is that all?" nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the