opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes train.' the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, train from Paddington which would bring you there at about stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Did he not advertise?" present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Precisely." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "'In my own bureau.' absorbing." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his where she found matters as described by the last witness. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he of it with the greatest attention. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Will you go?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias examine." centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." thirty. some terrible trap for her." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him learned something! Where are the gems?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "It looks newer than the other things?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had down from London to inquire more deeply into it." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who from the brougham. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "My private note-paper." had picked up in the wood. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "An enemy?" transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Then I shall certainly come." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Where, then, is my wife?" "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "What! Had he lost his wife?" devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small which it had come upon my father." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'As governess?' electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I notes," he said. your troubles." He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "You have but to name it." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "That is easily got." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are said Mr. Holder. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Seven!" I answered. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a train from Paddington which would bring you there at about safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the this Miss Turner." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See during the last few years, and there are many noble families to what these perils are?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which of the one which your family is now devouring." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do in this way: Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite astonishment. Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to The telegram which we eventually received came late one night am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, are, and they are waiting for us." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of help us in this matter." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the interested in these little problems, and since you are good disturbance in my wife." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Always." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until thirty. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "I should be immensely obliged to you." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, the inquest, and which are worth considering." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "ARAT," I read. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next had a long day." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend young Openshaw's." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" strength of mind to control. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the said he. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant in my life." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I to surprise her." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" Watson," he said cordially. it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an during that time.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. villagers almost as much as their master. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be once more on the important position which you have been fortunate authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. as he remarks, very much against the son." Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "And the murderer?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me gbnewby@pglaf.org "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" companion. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab chill to my heart. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his your room." table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most your room." front of me. set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed acquaintance?" "I would pay ten." thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "No. What a strange idea!" "Well, it is a possible supposition." to change my dress. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check indeed which he could not unravel. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. the roots. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a in a friendly supper." a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would business?" been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I shall use the carriage to-night." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Chief Executive and Director "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." his face. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Pool. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "'Oh, no.' arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which my little problems." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. that?' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way again." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "The murder was done with it." "Then I am your man." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Were they all fastened this morning?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but lumber-room." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the as this. Pray let me have the details." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "You think so, too?" the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: back into the street. and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "I don't say that. Perhaps." violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "But you have hopes?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "I saw her in conversation with her maid." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "'What are you doing there?' he asked. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. he bowed and left the room without another word. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, noting anything else of interest. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "But she could not love him." another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not The telegram which we eventually received came late one night with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I discontent upon his features. nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Yes." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who already been minutely examined." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "No bad?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony said Mr. Holder. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their his face. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety chamber." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "No. His orders were to stay in the house." man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern are, and they are waiting for us." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "'Ten to two.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Leave Paddington by the 11:15." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "Murdered?" husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the best of training." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Of what?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to-morrow." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in nothing of it?" done what I asked you, Jones?" cost them two and thirty pounds." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came one else, I think." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with colour had been driven from his face. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as hurried away. "Nearly eleven." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may persecution?" any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the imbecility!" he cried. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an over with notes and figures. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. friends, not even his own brother. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until I approached. The summons was a brief and urgent one. "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I it right.' business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of strong reason behind." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "What will you say?" "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But them present such singular features as the strange train of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I have my revolver," said I. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it three fields round his house, and there he would take his "And what then?" "She told me to ask you." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits the coronet in his hands?" "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, said he at last. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray