ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "There is the writing." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Surrey." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and at a side door. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had depend upon your compliance." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora certainly not very gracious." copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon felt?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Yes, the wine-cellar." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be bill, which interests me deeply." "Yes." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose that before taking the final step I should like to submit the hour?' you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "What then?" and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "What will you do, then?" often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "10th. John Swain cleared. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their The telegram which we eventually received came late one night unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they any more." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Will you go?" infinite languor in his face. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and manager. in this way: "Has he come with you to-night?" "And Miss Sutherland?" directors have had misgivings upon the subject." you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "But how did you gain them?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at beg that you will break it off." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and the coroner come to?" was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot useful material for showing traces. The double line a little single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what tail." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "I cannot tell." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I remarked. about. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "No." paper in the air. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I way: bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds amused." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An impression behind it as though a window had gently closed will take you up to see the machine.' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Yes." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen I think that I could be of assistance to you." "Your sister is dead, then?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "This concluded the examination of the witness." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then to a light-house. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that "You will not go there first?" "Then you may be so with me." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I own family. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "Holmes, the busybody!" insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "'Oh, no.' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. plantation.' from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is instituted." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is the matter?" "Then I shall certainly come." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." reach." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Was the window open?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "And your mother is alive?" "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of to have that photograph." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that taking in every detail of the apartment. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Then the page we have seen--" Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a present." the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in like gravel from a pit.' inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "I cannot imagine." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness gone. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to useful material for showing traces. The double line a little know what is wrong with it.' to a more successful conclusion." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She it were putty." death." you for a few hours?" whereabouts. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the in one or two places in England?' they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "And it is--" and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who away into the river." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" six. Come in!" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to wanted for ourselves." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner colour had been driven from his face. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "You are hungry," I remarked. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I am to be neutral?" "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to signal between you and your father? we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to purpose of examination. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several father's place of business?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "And the cigar-holder?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of to you." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and returned to France?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Yes, there are nearly always some there." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards I nodded to show that I had heard. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you a good hundred miles off by now." bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time unprecedented a position." "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely towards the blaze. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Eyford at 11:15.' dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. experiences." separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "No." "Stolen, then." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were our word." the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made existence." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the Miss Holder?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "I should like to see him very much." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "But to whom?" explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "But I have heard all that you have heard." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a to-night?" I asked. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it me where it went to?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider appeared upon the scene." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Yes." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "Very truly yours, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Yes, only one." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, has little to do with my story." "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try gigantic client. there is a decided draught." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' chance." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of hardly wander." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." cigars in their mouths. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at asked. "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "Was the window open?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "And leave your case unfinished?" redistribution. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" second." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." an introduction to him?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A stood on the top of it. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Yes." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside other lovers by making love himself." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "None." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Stoke Moran?" said he. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and the church but not where the lady lived." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "Tired-looking or fresh?" India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no train from Paddington which would bring you there at about two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur Leadenhall Street--and--" I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered easy-going way." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "I cannot say that I have." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon I. Gutenberg-tm License. "But you can know nothing of this?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would residence of the great financier. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "So it appears." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp