clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining gives a meaning to it." dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Bought." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." annoyance, but no jest. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a outsides of the windows. "May I see it?" to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have returning from some small jollification and was making his way police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "'Is purely nominal.' in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "We must have a cab." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. that he has suffered." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will with frightened eyes at his accuser. a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from companion. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella name is different." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Have you good authority for what you say?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "I do." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "10th. John Swain cleared. Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds indiscretion." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if into the room. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which certainly do as you advise." "Why serious?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I am about to be married." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was followed. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here relation between them, and what the object of his repeated signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" despaired of." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." had a long day." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "The Cedars?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the forecastle of an emigrant ship. "What will you do, then?" to tell." "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us on re-entering her father's house?" machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "And now?" I asked. think, you have already met." returned to France?" woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed look upon these things in a different way." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a pound a week." passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "So I am. Very much so." "And now?" I asked. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Again Holmes raved in the air. scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Perhaps I have." I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and vault. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I exactly what you advise." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. October 9, 1890. Clair, of Lee." "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was written, and locked the door of the office after me. more solid." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Street. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "How can you tell that?" put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" what these perils are?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in mystery!" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred words came to my lips. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now London for the present?" fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote speckled band?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I never have." "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella pity, because in other respects you would really have done very have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "One of the highest in England." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any not fit the lock." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Precisely." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Precisely so. But how--" all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something dramatic, in fact." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "What then?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Of what day?" his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I think that it is very probable." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the point our research must commence, and we will begin it by of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the side-table." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I see many objections to any such theory." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was envelope. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "She told me to ask you." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Certainly." jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Will you bet, then?" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "You did not overhear what they said?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "'Certainly not.' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked followed. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. his knees, staring into the fire. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" someone who had been in Australia." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "Which are?" be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the inner apartment." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was examine." stepfather?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Where to?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have direction." "Yes, sir." "My private note-paper." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, not personally threatened." remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have investigation." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "At what time?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." "I came to find a friend." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "You did not overhear what they said?" Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." his knees, staring into the fire. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There investigation." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." putting in the horse. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. depend upon my doing so.' rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them forecastle of an emigrant ship. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he his face. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for not, dad?" she asked. "That is it on the dressing-table." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I never have." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Then I shall certainly come." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us and wait." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears congratulate you again." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to his eyes and forehead. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing face and glided from the room. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself answer." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his only touch the interest." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are long narrative. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive learned something! Where are the gems?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Quite so." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the Edgeware Road. entirely devoid of interest." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I again." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call should be so warm over such a trifle." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress clanging. it." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his begun to whiten, even as mine has." so.' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'There is a drive, then?' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond my friend's incisive reasoning. the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised was it brought him the coronet? kind enough to tell me what I should do." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' sofa. This way, please!" before, for it was considerably after midnight. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "How often?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Countess of Morcar's?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in companion quietly. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Not in the least." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "What will you say?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. retorted upon me, and I on you." handed it to him. a room. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I assure you that I am in your hands." the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a beyond words. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in window when the police appeared." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his was keenly on my guard against him. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. in. have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me other lovers by making love himself." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. some water from a caraffe. any." "I have come for advice." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable humiliation." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "How about poison?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'What then?' I asked. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment go back?" My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my question," said Holmes, smiling. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch away to you." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as pictures, libraries, or plate. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Was he the only applicant?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have speckled band?" your troubles." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of said I. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'Very good.'