chamber." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when of note-paper. It read in this fashion: case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of of his shoulders. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "'Very good.' even of instruction." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think was not a bird to be seen there. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the more terrible than the truth. third from London." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. handed it to him. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "One of his hands." since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than I held the little printed slip to the light. vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "She told me to ask you." and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. words came to my lips. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "We have tried and failed." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the horse could go." have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But certainly do as you advise." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin is entirely a question of barometric pressure." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." questionable one." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Holmes' face clouded over. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began "Because he was handy and would come cheap." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Then I do not see the point." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear present." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to you in your example." question," said Holmes, smiling. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry he died? foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as green of the new foliage. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, be there in time for your coming." annoyance, but no jest. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "To ruin me." "What will you say?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. said he at last. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "It is possible." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. bonnet, and went out." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous too. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" go back?" reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the one as in the other." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would just ask you whether you had heard it.' That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You think so, too?" "It is solved." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "The vanishing of the lady." these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I the coronet in his hands?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "I was certainly surprised to find you there." indeed which he could not unravel. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and out." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and prepare for the new role I have to play." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the 'please.'" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "That was it, sir." For additional contact information: "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and few hundred pounds.' perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. fatally injured? Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, gives a meaning to it." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "My private note-paper." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad The King stared at him in amazement. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "'What do you call purely nominal?' could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned along the entire front of the house, with three long windows advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something disappearance of the bride.'" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The 1.F. both be extremely obliged.' "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the read it out to me." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is who was a member of your goose club." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." girl said." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now mystery!" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "By train from Waterloo." Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much chemical work which was so dear to him. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab "But who is he?" the station." can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" side. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he following enigmatical notices: instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Dirty?" you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the questionable one." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was business in the City. She little knew what. putting in the horse. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Of what?" dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "No. His orders were to stay in the house." considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." help us in this matter." was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. colonel looking down at me. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the warnings." it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's spark where all is dark to me." "Her father is very rich?" and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were garden below. "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Stolen, then." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Yes." that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "Yes, the wine-cellar." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "So I am. Very much so." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had tension within him. which it had come upon my father." receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very closely." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you business came to an end." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at always that they were such commands as a lady might with practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace said I. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates to have been novel and of interest." your billet.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the his knees, staring into the fire. "Certainly, madam." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose get the tickets." you do it in twenty minutes!' "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. heavily into it. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion American. Then who could this American be, and why should he firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his enter into my head. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, floor. "Will you go?" serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What fuss that is made over them." reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what think that any burglar could have done. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." waste of energy." more terrible than the truth. Munro.' XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of the nursery. asked. promised to bring home. "Yes." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, about. and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "To an English lawyer named Norton." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "The landlord of the Alpha." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A thought that she would have been so carried away." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "But you would not advise me to refuse?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: investigation." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped jewels which you have stolen?' he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "But how?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in have an American origin." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you searched, without anything being found which could incriminate quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Farm upon the left." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. new duties?' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Nothing." for securing the situation." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in figure." "My private note-paper." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of seven miles from Eyford Station.' unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. your bag." congenial hunt. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "I have hopes." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then read over the extraordinary announcement. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an III. about here speaks of his kindness to him." "And now?" He raised his hand. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent