"Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in tassel actually lying upon the pillow. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "There are none." "Dr. Becher's." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement brandy and water within his reach. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It kind enough to tell me what I should do." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, have one." London for the present?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest and all of them with the keenest interest. "Yes." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and matters immensely." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I am still in the dark." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Ah!" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Ample." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to it with his own hands." that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "How about poison?" events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "It certainly sounds feasible." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up His smile broadened. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, habit of advancing money.' your troubles." yourselves in at night?" "You were travelling in the States?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my them, and came down just as you departed. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I cannot as yet see any connection." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "I was afraid that you were engaged." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed not personally threatened." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, fat-encircled eyes. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off the morning and make my own way in the world.' uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the window, rose as we entered. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "No, but the enclosure is." Leadenhall Street--and--" near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than may never be exposed to such a temptation." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "And how did you find out?" upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I do.' villagers almost as much as their master. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Absolutely?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which gives a meaning to it." the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us present." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already colour had been driven from his face. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Sholtos." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would character. "Perhaps I have." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Which are?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "Tired-looking or fresh?" change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "His face fell immediately. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. that threaten you." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "Not I." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, and your relations to her." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Then I do not see the point." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Upon what point?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," colour had been driven from his face. "Not yet." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little swore that no one else had been in the front room during the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Where could I find him?' was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should do.' If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for in a friendly supper." dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature if she died from some sudden fright." "Yes, from Horsham." doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the bed, and you in that chair." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "That you are never beaten." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable not fit the lock." enough to aid us in our search." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. sofa. This way, please!" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' third from London." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "And you can do nothing until then?" placed his cuttings. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from you understand?" bare slabs of marble. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "None." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon becomes even more simple." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a locked." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "Upon what point?" "That you are never beaten." as yours." "Why? What do you mean?" to have that photograph." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come very peculiar words of the dying woman?" other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Stoke Moran." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "At the wedding breakfast." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Very well, sir. And this stone?" that I can to serve you." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's way: intrusion of other matters." it right.' league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his nice household for a young lady." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary too. upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived advice." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew strong reason behind." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of grasp, he hurried from the room. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "To an end?" first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "I will not look." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those gone before you can get him to hospital." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you maid will bring up your coffee." 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was true." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "To the police?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I would pay ten." presume?" questioning and rather startled gaze. "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards always that they were such commands as a lady might with of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be has little to do with my story." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "Nothing?" Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." business in the City. She little knew what. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my that he has suffered." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before tear off another piece?' The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "What steps will you take?" I asked. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' was keenly on my guard against him. "I cannot think." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." very morning of my second wedding." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the to have that photograph." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Holmes' room. "ARAT," I read. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only second window is the one that I jumped from." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It or other trace. But how on earth--" the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you never came back." "What can it mean?" I gasped. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I would pay ten." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his lectures into a series of tales." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a all?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the fat-encircled eyes. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "And did you observe any change in her then?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Your French gold?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She matters immensely." rose-bushes. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as had formerly been in part my own. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Who by?" propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "ARAT," I read. "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Countess of Morcar's?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "He slept on the premises." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about himself in a perplexing position. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "No." of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Thank you. Pray proceed." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "Is he quiet?" While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was prove to be little relation between the different incidents of case before our client came into the room." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Tired-looking or fresh?" He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out there in twenty minutes." just ask you whether you had heard it.' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "'Never,' said I. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the this poor creature." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the coronet at all injured?" frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an Dr. Gregory B. Newby "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become pierced for earrings?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all this truth that in these little records of our cases which you charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here locked." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "But the mystery?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her obstinate." people in all walks of life. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, unprofitable." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with in this way: himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his