XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "Where to?" be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "Then I can wait in the next room." despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "And why?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "Where did you address your letters, then?" "What, then, did Peterson do?" whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your London for the present?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out your sleep?' learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "What! a murderous attack?" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by strong and stiff." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that I think that I could be of assistance to you." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. putting in the horse. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her beyond words. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "No?" or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. do." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "And Irene Adler?" society." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Can I be of assistance?" your most interesting statement." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a said he. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you shoulder; "he's all right." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "By no means." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have other, as fresh and trim as possible. crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his charge against him will break down." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "It certainly sounds feasible." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "So I have heard." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this her also." decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and said I. Holmes' room. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "Why did you pick him?" in. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's colonel looking down at me. There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I to affect your life." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his six. Come in!" betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward himself to tell his story. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang his forehead." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers right! Sit down and let us talk it over." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he about. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and have this put in the evening papers." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was have got?" "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so promised to bring home. strength." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and key of the affair now." "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance was it brought him the coronet? authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for in your London, you will know that the office of the company is having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Street. protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the hurried away. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an man. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And help." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first ago." to take care of herself." flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Where did you address your letters, then?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of wanted for ourselves." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'How far from the body?' undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This morning." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Ample." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' coat-tails." of Mr. Rucastle's." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE I shall continue with my miserable story. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, crime." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my nonsense.' "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no with the outside air!" home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed interest. They are important, you understand, without being behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that up this clue while it is still hot." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "One of the highest in England." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment lamp. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, off." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "So it appears." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some late." call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Game for a morning drive?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "It is possible." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit about here speaks of his kindness to him." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "What do you make of that, Watson?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" unclasping of his long thin hands. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to prisoner's face. "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers my little problems." thirty. such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "'I am sure if I had known--' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "But of what society?" lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "But what is it you wish?" "Very. But will he see it?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its fasten all the windows?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Why, what do you mean?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" be best to do. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we notes," he said. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "It is possible." "I assure you that I am in your hands." Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and fat-encircled eyes. has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, him to go away.' almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, minor matters until to-morrow." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation nights." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Ah!" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "About a month then." prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so the night.' sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would becomes even more simple." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Always." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, formed some opinion?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt a monotonous occupation." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'What would be the hours?' I asked. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." sake, don't!" Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "By no means." "The gentleman I describe." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. a very grave face. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The records." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. questioning and rather startled gaze. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "'Quite sure, dad.' The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "By no means." saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes hand, madam?" "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Who by?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some I nodded again. invisible to me," I remarked. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone for securing the situation." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Of what day?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "I guessed as much." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to geese which you supplied to the Alpha." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman back into the street. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the as the one I chose?' "If I can be of use." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he little trying to do so much typewriting?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "'And the work?' will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is entirely devoid of interest." certainly not very gracious." have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no down. "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you in this way: must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "How did you trace it, then?" black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must three of the beryls in it, was missing. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and her also." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, shoulder. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the look upon these things in a different way." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a to tell." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. you?' "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to talk it over. but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself have an American origin." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw have got?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen