you." chambers. possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature what is your own theory as to what took place?" as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "In the cells." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight make me his representative both with the servants and with the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Very much so." to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a particular state visit http://pglaf.org I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Your presence might be invaluable." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "To ruin me." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you particular state visit http://pglaf.org my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious of Fenchurch Street." hard-headed British jury." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "It is possible." cup of tea. "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to pierced for earrings?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the King without delay." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of official police." yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very detained." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "In the cells." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress sooner or later she must fall a victim. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." had died away into the silence from which it rose. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his points to suicide?" character. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, six. Come in!" "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to highly," said Holmes. crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of certainly do as you advise." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "On the contrary, this is the right side." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Nothing?" window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back hurried by. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. foot. will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the infinite languor in his face. "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "And who is her maid?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one of receipt of the work. "Yes, he did." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "How do you know, then?" affair. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net gone before you can get him to hospital." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "How about poison?" him." "And you thought he was pulled back?" fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. strength." "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Oh, the cause is excellent!" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of round with crates and massive boxes. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you man. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "It is a murder, then?" outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until brandy and water within his reach. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and there!' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Very well, sir. And this stone?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "In what way?" asked Holmes. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior pity, because in other respects you would really have done very into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Breckinridge is his name." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "None." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "I should be immensely obliged to you." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "I am still in the dark." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my ill-usage at the hands of fortune. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train habit of advancing money.' so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A at home. distance from the station, and there we found the young lady wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Will you bet, then?" "Did your wife hear all this?" "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided rose-bushes. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry ill-usage at the hands of fortune. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and the colonel ushered me in. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not papers." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his Does that suggest anything?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "One of the highest in England." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "It surprised me." "I would pay ten." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass coat-tails." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he Serpentine Avenue. the stones. your bag." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, strength." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems the room while you explain this matter?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "Did he not advertise?" more solid." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I purpose of examination. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "'Yes, it was gone.' somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my the tragedy. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect business?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we province." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "I have a cab outside." astonishment. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At of his shoulders. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town will find little credit to be gained out of this case." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Well, it is a possible supposition." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his trying to your nerves." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready colonel looking down at me. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "No, finished." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. observed. of the one which your family is now devouring." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white best detective that ever lived. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin and have this put in the evening papers." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and public press." pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and the whole place is in a blaze." but preventing her from injuring another. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "Have you it here?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord all that?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "The knees of his trousers." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she was lame." Again Holmes raved in the air. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and nonsense.' "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it sofa. This way, please!" shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, yards of it?' position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Sutherland?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in dead, shall be safe with us." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was chair. two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge front of the hall door has given its name to the place. professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I the night.' glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for strode off upon his way. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with some city in a dream. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask."