was lame." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some unkempt, staring out at me. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever his face. the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until to a more successful conclusion." "You are all wrong." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it to tell." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public may never be exposed to such a temptation." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "My own seal." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager affair. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear examination of the premises, but without finding anything which fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather an introduction to him?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than bare slabs of marble. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a it? Did I buy the geese off you?" across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Yes." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an London for the present?" continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else friend's singular character. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, bell. Holmes whistled. matters immensely." envelope. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "No." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector any." "Why, what do you mean?" shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but present strange and interesting features that it is no easy present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream always that they were such commands as a lady might with "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the the bottom.' narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was derbies." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United with her." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may arrested. You then--" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and feature." weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Murdered?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "Pray continue your narrative." through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. purpose of examination. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage lids now and glanced across at his visitor. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his do.' are windows in it, of course?" the side-table." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible unprecedented a position." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is ready to-morrow?' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then searched, without anything being found which could incriminate we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of for and were ordered to this address. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat telegram would bring me down to your help." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "What do you make of that, Watson?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "'Never.' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "It is very kind of you." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a our word." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country client, rising. "You horrify me." "'And the work?' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the so-precious time, but come!' go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "I am armed." affair. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice sooner or later she must fall a victim. thin, with a long, sharp nose?" doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I which I could not give. He asked for Alice. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very events, Mr. Windibank!" furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at do.' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." fatally injured? "Yes, sir." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," answer." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. footfalls from the street. successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in suggested at once that there must be a communication between the past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we presented more singular features than that which was associated his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but see me here to avoid scandal." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "Married! When?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand During two years I have had three consultations and one small the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At anything to do with the matter?" 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "The Cedars?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "It is to him that this trophy belongs." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that himself to tell his story. was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know said he at last. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal bears upon the case?" the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper over part of the map. "What do you read?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a happened." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "But you have hopes?" and laid it on the table. he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged was a lad." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend directors, with the result that you have seen." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right the warnings." was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Pray do so." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was little trying to do so much typewriting?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate name is different." without a word or a look. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to him nearly every evening." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened points to suicide?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to I nodded to show that I had heard. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. just ask you whether you had heard it.' "No, I had a dozen." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "At half-wages, in fact." as he remarks, very much against the son." will be renamed. "Stolen." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite interest. They are important, you understand, without being "One horse?" interjected Holmes. little adventures." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven recover the gem." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet sofa. This way, please!" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Yes, sir." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed know all about it," he snarled. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Your sister is dead, then?" first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow Where does the thing come from?' "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a be.' "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's his cane at the bell-pull. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "What then?" instituted." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, to-night." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "What, then, did Peterson do?" "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "You have a clue?" grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in felt?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little was already answered. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to chamber." maid will bring up your coffee." interests were the same as his." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "'Certainly,' I answered. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see distance from the station, and there we found the young lady sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "In the cells." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "And how in the world did you find them?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of the Assizes." "'Quite sure, dad.' from the brougham. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'I am sure if I had known--' to a more successful conclusion." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in money should be paid at once.' thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "That also I could fathom." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "Nothing?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would infinite languor in his face. "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks to tackle the facts." until night should bring an explanation. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers persecution?" fishes. "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of receipt of the work. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "It was." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Well, some hundreds of times." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the II. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic them?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, written, and locked the door of the office after me. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who in this way: But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is question. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, detained." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in you understand?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "In San Francisco, a year ago." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from not personally threatened." near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before my former friend and companion. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "And leave your case unfinished?" lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, not fit the lock." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "There is the writing." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate