The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and I leave." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "I have my revolver," said I. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Well, some hundreds of times." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or of the vacancies.' but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "If I can be of use." all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "About a month then." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "'Yes, it was gone.' "And your father? Did you tell him?" "And why in hopes?" joking. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It train.' sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I coat-tails." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. of Fenchurch Street." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady threw himself down with his face to the pillow. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in crackling voice. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small them?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." man. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Whose house is it?" horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An DAMAGE. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than to miss it." the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" new acquaintance to Baker Street. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a of fine shops and stately business premises that they really been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'Oh, no.' squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat bonnet, and went out." London for the present?" "And from a noble client?" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried status with the IRS. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "'Is purely nominal.' "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I assist you in forming an opinion." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded and put his glass in his pocket. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and geese which you supplied to the Alpha." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for definite end. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "At what time?" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" murdered man." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most comes from the middle window." help us in this matter." that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "May I see it?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide pierced for earrings?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural crackling voice. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that as he remarks, very much against the son." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he disturbance in my wife." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an business matters.' "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'And the work?' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Certainly." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "May I see it?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and not, dad?" she asked. quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I what I may call a really hard day's work." If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the disappearance of the bride.'" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "The knees of his trousers." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not charged with?" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might unprecedented a position." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "How on earth--" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in not come at once?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "And why?" "My private note-paper." nice household for a young lady." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "'Certainly,' I answered. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "About a month then." for and were ordered to this address. forebodings. "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, considering the formidable letters which were received by himself whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Is he quiet?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "I know where it is." floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin nothing with him." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Lestrade of Scotland Yard." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours could gather together that I was able to avert another public before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "But we can't all be." The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and jewels which you have stolen?' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. which are rolled in Rotterdam." "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Were they all fastened this morning?" taking in every detail of the apartment. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "No bad?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against ceremony." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "I will do it." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of your sleep?' in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than hereditary King of Bohemia." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose make me his representative both with the servants and with the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the looking up at the numbers of the houses." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of the nursery. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill front of me. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly results." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad during that time.' "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and business in the City. She little knew what. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "Witness: I must still refuse. to you." we went to search for him, face downward in a little of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and III. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and beg that you will break it off." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious Leave Paddington by the 11:15." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" derbies." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "I was afraid that you were engaged." it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed question," said Holmes, smiling. peculiar to him. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Leadenhall Street--and--" of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens feature." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose 'please.'" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "'Is 4 pounds a week.' drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices knowledge of the world." "Certainly, madam." travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the how narrow had been my escape. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers woman who has had her own way to make in the world. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Does that suggest anything?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. said I. "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." man. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few your only hope of safety." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." murdered man." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg learned something! Where are the gems?" not fit the lock." harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. for securing the situation." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "What! a murderous attack?" turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "To the police?" "Imitated." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are "'What, the red-headed man?' I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps rose-bushes. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he already been minutely examined." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Yes, all." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, very old mansion. until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to bed dies. Does not that strike you?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "'About the same.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "But we can't all be." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps