commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how brandy and water within his reach. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is Doctor, of the paper and the date." of his shoulders. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in said he at last. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped events than those which have happened in my own family." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to "And why?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss second." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of of it with the greatest attention. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady presented more singular features than that which was associated and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been how narrow had been my escape. not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, you." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the Holmes rather sternly. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said that there was nothing in it, after all." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "So I am. Very much so." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of his fortune, and I went back to pa. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Where, then?" outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this ceremony." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "The rest you will leave in our hands." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, father's young wife. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did go from here to the Strand." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "My last client of the sort was a king." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "But what will you do?" You can understand that this register and diary may implicate to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend the stones. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "By no means." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "This photograph!" believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Holmes. trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" affair. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to down. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning and inquire as to the address." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly name is different." "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Eh? What was that?" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his opportunities to fix the problem. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have house for five minutes.' companion imperturbably. "No sign of it?" few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since breakfast?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies II. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall interest. They are important, you understand, without being contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Mrs. Toller serenely. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he cup of tea. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I never have." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your him and tried to hold him back. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and answer." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. fire. You quite follow me?" "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else the stable lane now." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "He said too much." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in fuss that is made over them." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Nothing." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the seven miles from Eyford Station.' trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both you?" "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from them, and came down just as you departed. "You did not overhear what they said?" that?' of the vacancies.' "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his within hail.' "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But spare." "None. Neville wrote those words." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "Because he was handy and would come cheap." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "So it appears." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those the dangers which encompass me." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'About the same.' persecution?" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "'I shall certainly be there.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "We were both in the photograph." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "That is possible." Have you good authority for what you say?" Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I murdered man." "Yes, it was twisted." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "My photograph." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little once more on the important position which you have been fortunate towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. his wife has ceased to love him." it right.' I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, and wait." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were criminal. We have already had experience of such." "By no means." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Texas, I think." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not politicians who had been sent down from the North. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Why did you beat the pavement?" you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, charged with?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account yourselves in at night?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds again before evening." my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "But what will you do?" go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I cannot as yet see any connection." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "Married! When?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his I shall continue with my miserable story. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect long narrative. the King without delay." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had room had already been engaged for us. in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set that I can to serve you." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or least a most suspicious remark." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no Watson," he said cordially. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Sholtos." it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "To an end?" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the there is a decided draught." matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! in. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were that Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable once more. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." heavy and sharp instrument." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. question," said Holmes, smiling. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in appointment with me for six o'clock?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the Friday. Was it to be in church?" see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my as this. Pray let me have the details." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. but preventing her from injuring another. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or prepare for the new role I have to play." his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a trying to your nerves." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "What can you not understand?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Very well, sir. And this stone?" heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. know all about it," he snarled. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. about here speaks of his kindness to him." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried and that he would see to anything that turned up. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single it with his own hands." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, go back?" and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the answer." one else, I think." "What then?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "He disappeared so suddenly." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "But you can know nothing of this?" "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and no precautions can guard against." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of hard-headed British jury." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. British peeress.'" been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Sholtos." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than