"Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian of Fenchurch Street." believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was it brought him the coronet? "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Was the window open?" "Always." was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' at my own good fortune. my special province." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." business at Coburg Square is serious." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice singular points about the case. What did the police think of the stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly that?' could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Well." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. "And why in hopes?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good possible that we could bring him back to her? beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "And you thought he was pulled back?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly case-book, which he consulted. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' her also." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "Have you it here?" Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in chair. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Yes, it would be as well." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps was used.' "What do you mean?" of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Yes." in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Holmes, the busybody!" afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and that he would see to anything that turned up. through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "No, I think that I'll take it." "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "It certainly sounds feasible." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. dramatic, in fact." "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "It may not come to that," said Holmes. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of rose-bushes. traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they bearing upon the case." which it had come upon my father." returned to France?" like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" voice. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about father's young wife. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he 'I should be able to look after that for you.' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. to have been novel and of interest." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a was feeling which was the fattest.' "Your sister is dead, then?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three light and attacked it." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "In the cells." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes flock.' simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His obstinate." "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the dangers which encompass me." standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was rose-bushes. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Where is it, then?" his knees, staring into the fire. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of and that he would see to anything that turned up. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the salesman. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first directly by questioning you." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no daring than any effort of the imagination." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Pray do so." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Stolen, then." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a coroner's jury." trifles." The summons was a brief and urgent one. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "But it has twice been burgled." his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "Where did you address your letters, then?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, green of the new foliage. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call rat could hardly pass through." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into never will be, entirely cleared up. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his begun to whiten, even as mine has." "Why did you pick him?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built mysterious end." was not a bird to be seen there. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of he died? pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "I cannot tell." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "In answer to an advertisement." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that way: true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "'Oh, no.' "We have tried and failed." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who for and were ordered to this address. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the bottom.' matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the straightened it out again. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his subject to the trademark license, especially commercial the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There do.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" discontent upon his features. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I This is what he says: lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "One of the highest in England." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," in a friendly supper." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his she might be summoned. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'Entirely.' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the nonsense.' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very not fit the lock." base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether instincts rose up against that laugh. "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "What then?" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate telegram would bring me down to your help." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in affair. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. to-night." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Where could I find him?' drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards investigation." "'Most admirably.' Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter imbecility!" he cried. "What!" he roared. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this generous with you in money matters.' upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect again, where I was soon asleep. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Well, it is a possible supposition." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood one of them." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Not him." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. rat could hardly pass through." his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to public press." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came society." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is "How did that help you?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. attention." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "Nothing." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "Yes." points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do in my life." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear His smile broadened. late!' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "How long did she speak to this Alice?" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, did not hear it also.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat appointment with me for six o'clock?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to I am not easy in my mind about them." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the recover the gem." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "My Mary? Impossible!" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more tell him that I know him to be innocent." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying always that they were such commands as a lady might with "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my happened." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no them?" purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards murdered man." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his conversation I have gathered that they have been married about unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. row." of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "Look there!" said he. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "What then?" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'You cannot say what it was?' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." to talk it over. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the armchair which I pushed forward for him. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work,"