vanished into the darkness. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "My photograph." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not 1.E.9. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down "Why? What do you mean?" you." lamp in his hand. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down towards the blaze. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with to that open window." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress strode off upon his way. I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who most interesting one." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did "In which, sir?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the felt?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "No, distinctly professional." promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Ample." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer wedding?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor papers diligently of late, have you not?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "From his hat?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the drove away. Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this considering the formidable letters which were received by himself being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms your only hope of safety." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of fact, we may call it conclusive." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know just ask you whether you had heard it.' "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" quickly through a disagreeable task. experiences." "And what did you see?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "But she will refuse." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my you give your casting vote to?" "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper the salesman. docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it three of the beryls in it, was missing. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Yesterday." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been sufficient punishment." room had already been engaged for us. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "The murder was done with it." matters immensely." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, asked. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I page at http://pglaf.org brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Not particularly." "What will you say?" him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "What! a murderous attack?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in populous neighbourhood." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime DAMAGE. night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in everything which you would wish to know." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Was there a secret marriage?" to affect your life." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to have established a very serious case against the son of the here." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for became a certainty. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to fear." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I see no marks." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical morning." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must The telegram which we eventually received came late one night strength in the others." them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' green of the new foliage. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so delighted to hear it," he said. "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "And I to find an enemy." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they woman." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "The gentleman I describe." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon wall." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious breakfast?" inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'Certainly,' I answered. a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Did he not advertise?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "Where to?" the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, DAMAGE. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of morning." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted it. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Pray be precise as to details," said he. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and upon the white wrist. residence of the great financier. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Who by?" A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts families. Now for the facts. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Yes." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I his face. where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London if only as a check to my own memory." impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "Witness: It was. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Dr. Becher's." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my fluttered off among the others. it." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This nice household for a young lady." may have an influence upon European history." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "So it appears." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See certainly do as you advise." broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a amused." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" himself to tell his story. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic nothing with him." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a lamp in his hand. brain must have something in it." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. good for you to do.' last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, four million human beings all jostling each other within the "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one manager. that you can jump it.' "What of the rat, then?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "How about poison?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "So I am. Very much so." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'What would be the hours?' I asked. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, salesman. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent invisible to me," I remarked. trifles." the window, rose as we entered. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER until night should bring an explanation. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. so far?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "But to whom?" scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the very morning of the wedding." time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly like gravel from a pit.' seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "There are none." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can unprofitable." character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both vault. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "You will not go there first?" he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go sufficient punishment." indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a without a word or a look. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can you?' asked with his eyes open. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "The decline of his fortunes, then?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "There is the writing." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you to me. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between only touch the interest." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to may never be exposed to such a temptation." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the shall not find me ungrateful." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about I nodded to show that I had heard. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, feature." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "What are they?" "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was I was concerned in it." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is locked." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. will be renamed. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best of the efforts of the United States government and of the better knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled eat it." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "And for present expenses?" master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I gone before you can get him to hospital." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Surrey." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against observed. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. pictures, libraries, or plate. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California things are very often connected not with the larger but with the official police." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'Certainly not.' Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Never to return." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Who by?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the