an introduction to him?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Why, what do you mean?" to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Then I do not see the point." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. galvanised. "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently where we are going." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our meant." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten relief. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the station." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the was lame." swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in his cane at the bell-pull. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to walking." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I have an American origin." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "It surprised me." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. weighed down with some great anxiety. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "No." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "That also I could fathom." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to awkward doing business with an alias." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My is entirely a question of barometric pressure." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the little opening for the ventilator is." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Precisely." lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, "What office?" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend brandy and water within his reach. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in you?' the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous test if we have an answer to our advertisement." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my whatever might befall. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk confronted him. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one again on its way. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had a suggestive one." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously delirious. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, fishes. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if gentleman's clothes. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Married! When?" Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "Of what day?" business in the City. She little knew what. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and for securing the situation." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And it is--" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, than to us. desk. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has yourselves in at night?" His smile broadened. at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "That is not always so easy." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who bell. Holmes whistled. built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my shadow pass over his face as I spoke. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "And when will you call?" a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that cigars in their mouths. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "You have the photograph?" think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and that "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one infinite languor in his face. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "And why?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Always." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I will not look." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which observed. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up pressing in one house as in another. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague wife's character?" street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in signal between you and your father? hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each opportunities to fix the problem. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant affection." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Here?" I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "I have seen the police." forehead. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from green of the new foliage. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the once more for Briony Lodge. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you himself to tell his story. weary and pale-looking. seen the man in the road." and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, yourselves in at night?" constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "And who is her maid?" but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Was she in good spirits?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on "Where, then, is my wife?" professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very means taking possession of that which another person has a prior THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards some city in a dream. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all once more for Briony Lodge. in this way: "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Munro.' "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, had formerly been in part my own. second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and cheerful." "Well?" meant." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." time." with you alone." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are redistribution. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon your billet.' figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very went to the Alpha were town bred." how narrow had been my escape. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Eh? What was that?" "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "I have solved it." to that open window." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local "It certainly sounds feasible." is worth.' "You horrify me!" "It is very clear." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did a very grave face. brandy and water within his reach. "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those imbecility!" he cried. the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "It is solved." what these perils are?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "To the police?" Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, that threaten you." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'In my own bureau.' "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock voice, changing her seat as requested. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how his face which made him a very different person to the round, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. photograph?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a hour." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I have a cab outside." forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Very well, sir. And this stone?" edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of something of him before." them, and came down just as you departed. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they business in the City. She little knew what. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this Countess of Morcar's?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "He said that you could solve anything." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "'I have heard so.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must and no precautions can guard against." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Thank you. And your address?" that I am arrested." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as crime." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they girl said." so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell copied or distributed: occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a door?" by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Oh, the cause is excellent!" behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front hour?' "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, means taking possession of that which another person has a prior it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of to-morrow." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "No." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got