about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Dirty?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Of what day?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most http://gutenberg.net/license). "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a there were one or two details which were new to me. But the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the them, and came down just as you departed. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "'There is a drive, then?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Then how many are there?" "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg not personally threatened." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, the running down." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "What then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about was used.' to miss it." presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what has little to do with my story." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Pray continue your narrative." country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "'Then let me do so?' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen now. It seems that there had been some informality about their roused himself from his reverie. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a go--none." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "What is it, then--a fire?" silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future directors, with the result that you have seen." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his all-comprehensive glances. "When did it break out?" Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Munro.' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" maiden herself was most instructive." to arrive at through this?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine ordinary clothes on?" data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my writer." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination DAMAGE. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is and no precautions can guard against." and all of them with the keenest interest. "Thank you. Pray proceed." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil passage and a tap at the door. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither a monotonous occupation." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could to-night?' photograph a cabinet?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "The Coroner: What do you mean? Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence business." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "He disappeared so suddenly." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Oh, no.' The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "What then?" is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, appeal." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." records." handed it to him. though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward all?" goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but awkward doing business with an alias." imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the "It surprised me." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "That is it on the dressing-table." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can been deceived." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "This concluded the examination of the witness." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips are windows in it, of course?" possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this notes," he said. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and introspective fashion. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "I have hopes." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square The events in question occurred in the early days of my permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "What, then?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem unkempt, staring out at me. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "In what way?" asked Holmes. or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the The events in question occurred in the early days of my blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my prove to be little relation between the different incidents of would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the placed his cuttings. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the amused." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business hereditary King of Bohemia." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "My dear Holmes!" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a that you can jump it.' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. look dissatisfied." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, to change my dress. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I chance." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from it. have been better. It is all right." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon answered with a sidelong glance. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "You have but to name it." possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned occupations.' the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. anything to do with the matter?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by away in different directions, and I went off to make my own him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew unprofitable." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be and that he would see to anything that turned up. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will For additional contact information: "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, behind me. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I some city in a dream. written. chair. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old man. I know him from the photograph." that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of the vacancies.' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the annoyance, but no jest. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in closing the door. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can everything which you would wish to know." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "But your client--" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. do." "How did you deduce the select?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "I would pay ten." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, he bowed and left the room without another word. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece there." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "Yes, all." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Holmes' thin, eager face. "'What then?' I asked. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project not fit the lock." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Married! When?" conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "Pray be precise as to details," said he. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Deserted you?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed me what he had done with the three missing stones. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down to a more successful conclusion." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" charged with?" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "Yes, but only for you and me." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Sholtos." "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I in darkness. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my the little opening for the ventilator is." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Pray let us have it, for all that." least a most suspicious remark." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "Bought." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His this poor creature." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as she used." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the Lee, in the county of Kent." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any as he remarks, very much against the son." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our following enigmatical notices: to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not did not hear it also.' huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "Yes, the wine-cellar." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion do.' "Yes, from Horsham." Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, the side-table." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase this as likely?" expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I never have." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Perfectly so." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." crime. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter to you." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these present." writers could invent nothing more crude." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for