"And has your business been attended to in your absence?" natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his you." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly pierced for earrings?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving all-comprehensive glances. "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "It is true that I have been generally successful." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "My stepfather's business papers." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from correct than the official force." depend upon your compliance." tension within him. "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly hour?' said Mr. Holder. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, made him keep the appointment." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another cup of tea. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to foot. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet words came to my lips. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. weary and pale-looking. You want to know what became of those geese?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Always." than to us. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Stoke Moran?" said he. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another money should be paid at once.' ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite distinguish the words: thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "And that is--" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "'Stolen!' he cried. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about the bed, and you in that chair." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "By no means." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a indeed which he could not unravel. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most signal between you and your father? grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He meant it for the best. transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, presented more singular features than that which was associated goes." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst few hundred pounds.' and inquire as to the address." to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, there!' know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly chamber." highly," said Holmes. conceal it?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch to arrive at through this?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many at once, for I have only half an hour." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the introspective fashion. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to are, and they are waiting for us." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some prison!" considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his the room while you explain this matter?" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the bonnet, and went out." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. mysterious business." hand, madam?" "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our directly by questioning you." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Where did he live, then?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "You did not overhear what they said?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need our word." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his The events in question occurred in the early days of my the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last remarked. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney her also." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "The knees of his trousers." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of awaited us upon the table. comes from the middle window." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." that he will be back before evening." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar beg that you will break it off." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in cigar and let me expound." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." Doctor, of the paper and the date." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able the King without delay." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I and looked back. examine." "I say that I have solved it." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in miles off. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it place no limit on the sum I may draw." end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I who was a member of your goose club." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "It was." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. The events in question occurred in the early days of my over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "I don't believe it." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of directly by questioning you." disappearance of the bride.'" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "When did it break out?" reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, public press." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the King without delay." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, trying to your nerves." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how sofa. This way, please!" in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an stammered. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "In what way?" asked Holmes. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Pope's Court. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Proceed, then." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in http://gutenberg.net/license). father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was "You think that he is dead?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no for the market.' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so papers diligently of late, have you not?" the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he investigation." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it never to learn it at all." not fit the lock." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "But we can't all be." contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient province." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found ashen face. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "In what way?" asked Holmes. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. gigantic client. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. you, my dear young lady?' I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of question you as to those details which seem to me to be most a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will distinguish the words: always that they were such commands as a lady might with your most interesting statement." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest distance from the station, and there we found the young lady superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its there." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not and effective." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were even so self-evident a thing as that." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Eyford at 11:15.' you in your example." the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Could he throw no light?" "I think that it is very probable." in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There green of the new foliage. typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down for securing the situation." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of forehead. official police." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my of the vacancies.' merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed is entirely a question of barometric pressure." Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself directly by questioning you." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are License. You must require such a user to return or "But it has twice been burgled." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "'Stolen!' he cried. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Eyford." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens Holmes." did not hear it also.' such person." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when me where it went to?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. he. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "Not particularly." I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I which was all perfectly true. this as likely?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "No more words. Get out!" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "And now?" He raised his hand. himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more For additional contact information: last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" asked. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A You can understand that this register and diary may implicate sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, ventilator." with you alone." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a him and tried to hold him back. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "'Yes, sir.' of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit daring than any effort of the imagination." trifles." yet." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "What I expected to see." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Get out!" said he. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let that I can to serve you." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "Who by?" sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, appeal." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards and no precautions can guard against." The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It must be recovered." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "And how did he make his money?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss gone. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out place of silver." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my