The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an said he. hands. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" gbnewby@pglaf.org money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal Again Holmes raved in the air. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "No?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. His name is Francis Prosper." voice, changing her seat as requested. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "'Certainly not.' see me here to avoid scandal." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "I should like to see him very much." excitement. slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, companion quietly. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, at my own good fortune. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words retorted upon me, and I on you." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the all-comprehensive glances. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or round and wave him away like that.' shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I once more. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so prison!" "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "Oh, the cause is excellent!" business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "Yes, the wine-cellar." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and unprecedented a position." I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Tired-looking or fresh?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the his fortune, and I went back to pa. "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "Not particularly." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'Ample.' us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and for its centre. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary key turn in the lock." who was a member of your goose club." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those the roots. kind enough to tell me what I should do." be. cup of tea. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "And I." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was the driver. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause anything to do with the matter?" prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the general public were present, then?" "Oh, yes, easily." quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" noting anything else of interest. There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with business?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "Really! You surprise me." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "And for present expenses?" we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Witness: It was. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to to-morrow." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers nothing with him." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford train.' "But he might be a bachelor." "None." their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "My private note-paper." light and attacked it." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the get the tickets." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the address that was given us in the advertisement. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "But the mystery?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "You heard nothing yourself last night?" have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a "It certainly sounds feasible." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we to-night?' chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, closely." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose giving me time to thank him. confronted him. father's place of business?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Then, as to money?" distance from the station, and there we found the young lady and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his feature." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "I see no marks." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something business at Coburg Square is serious." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here tear off another piece?' Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Dr. Gregory B. Newby research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. persecution?" me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon is so. I know all about McCarthy." "Will you bet, then?" For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Again Holmes raved in the air. "In answer to an advertisement." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I think that I had better go, Holmes." landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the nursery. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were the room while you explain this matter?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised the south-west, I see." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face invisible to me," I remarked. prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "No more words. Get out!" seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "I am armed." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself criminal. We have already had experience of such." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "He is still with you, I presume?" daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "What then?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery "And your father? Did you tell him?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, "It is possible." came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover My friend smiled. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "But what harm can there be in that?" beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "I think it very unlikely." "What can you not understand?" "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the said I. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it were putty." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than fait accompli?" known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call fish-monger and a tide-waiter." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of persecution?" us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Then how many are there?" law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "It goes to the housekeeper's room." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was and the church but not where the lady lived." sound at heart." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "She will not sell." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was not come at once?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through McCarthy." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden thin legs towards the fire. America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is thin, with a long, sharp nose?" more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." way: "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child at once, for I have only half an hour." mysterious business." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs so far?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Very murderous indeed." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "When did it break out?" "I cannot tell." "How about poison?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "Well, but China?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "To the police?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps drove away. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "By no means." could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than unprofitable." from you?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and inquire as to the address." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to were unconscious?" "But you can know nothing of this?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no him. the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "I should be immensely obliged to you." "It is no ordinary one." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Oh, yes, easily." "No bad?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, present." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows the little opening for the ventilator is." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "'I am sure that I do not know.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Why, it's a dummy," said he. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your three of the beryls in it, was missing. McCarthy." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Here?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Yes, that is the Crown." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. interested in these little problems, and since you are good in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' he bowed and left the room without another word. "Then the page we have seen--" until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. the side-table." "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "And you thought he was pulled back?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free awaited us upon the table. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did tension within him. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me conduct the inquiry." "What I expected to see." with you alone." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke up this clue while it is still hot." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what forecastle of an emigrant ship. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the