were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in at home. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so room?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been affection." business?" the loss of it. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "That is possible." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A recall any case within my experience which looked at the first things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the less than 26s. 4d. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad ceremony." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things young Openshaw's." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, the address that was given us in the advertisement. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, not fit the lock." am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going comes from the middle window." IS housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and Watson," he said cordially. a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away door?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "And that is--" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. good-night and bustled off upon her way. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "But he might be a bachelor." were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "'Where to?' stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon points in connection with it which never have been, and probably like gravel from a pit.' "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "At the wedding breakfast." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her call for protection in the marriage market, for the present a good hundred miles off by now." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "And what then?" clanging. "He disappeared so suddenly." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "But his lameness?" it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Were they all fastened this morning?" Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, 1.E.9. mystery may be cleared along those lines." your only hope of safety." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the south, for the country is more deserted there." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a posted to-day." a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been it right.' gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "'Yes, I promise.' confronted him. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "But you were on a friendly footing?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what to-night?" I asked. Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way what I may call a really hard day's work." amused." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to business at Coburg Square is serious." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to call you and give you the chance." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Nearly eleven." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Certainly." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was only touch the interest." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the new duties?' The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Yes, from Horsham." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do promised to bring home. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated Sutherland. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he a good hundred miles off by now." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the of a light. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his hardly wander." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'Never,' said I. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "My last client of the sort was a king." "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you society." dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt very old mansion. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, But Holmes shook his head gravely. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, my little problems." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did with some details as to your case." a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Do you go out much in society?" Eyford at 11:15.' was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "Yes, certainly." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the one as in the other." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it be sorry for having acted so harshly." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And why in hopes?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by likely to be some crony of the landlady's." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know where she found matters as described by the last witness. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check do.' What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent III. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots three fields round his house, and there he would take his glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you discontent upon his features. this unhappy family?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out followed. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner call it cruel." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the been able to understand it, in a very few words. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "It looks newer than the other things?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying it with his own hands." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of the child." Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs the armchair which I pushed forward for him. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been events, Mr. Windibank!" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the and the colonel ushered me in. "Your French gold?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them room. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "'Then let me do so?' "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "'I am sure if I had known--' that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. the best of training." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, criminal. We have already had experience of such." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Did you observe the colour?" him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "No, I am descending." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this shadow pass over his face as I spoke. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have within hail.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "You know me, then?" whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with she slowly sank and died without having recovered her them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been interests were the same as his." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "I will do it." smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I had no one to advise her at such a crisis." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and to where he stood hid behind the curtain. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness coat-tails." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you McCarthy." "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit second window is the one that I jumped from." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "Do you know him?" see me here to avoid scandal." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and business." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "It is very kind of you." you, my dear young lady?' downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "No, I think that I'll take it." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "Perfectly so." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, your room." happened." morning." mystery!" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "But you have hopes?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "By all means." "No, I think that I'll take it." "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" weigh very heavily upon my conscience." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was said Mr. Holder. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "What can you not understand?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a yards of it?' that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a over with notes and figures. drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that highroad, where all traces were lost. came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney me." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "When did she vanish, then?" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Yes, certainly." might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "And sit in the dark?" test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between rooms." touch that coronet?' answered with a sidelong glance. fatally injured?