simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? crackling voice. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the paper in the air. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short laugh and put his lips to my ear. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid was a perfect sample of the class. she to prove their authenticity?" 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, any more." or other trace. But how on earth--" "So I am. Very much so." and put his glass in his pocket. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled strange features which were associated with the two crimes which Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "If I can be of use." round with crates and massive boxes. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. so.' relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I could go. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only sentimental considerations in the background which would induce had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means standing smiling on the door-step. floor. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." you." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow had a long day." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of and files of the old papers, following the future career of every into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "On Monday." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds matter over." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which burst into a hearty fit of laughter. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its out." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than bled considerably." "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Then how many are there?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, was a loud and authoritative tap. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & that, and I came down." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as everything which you would wish to know." study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In people in all walks of life. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal his knees, staring into the fire. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for brought there to personate someone, and the real person is day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Quite sure, dad.' "In heaven's name, what for?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "I should wish to." "In heaven's name, what for?" "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Perhaps I have." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Look there!" said he. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps I have it here in my museum." "What?" "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" success. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of extraordinary contortions. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Sutherland?" writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." system of imprisonment?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you like gravel from a pit.' again on its way. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips friend's singular character. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but have one." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if is four-and-twenty." It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "What I expected to see." "But she will refuse." this remarkable episode. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, less than 26s. 4d. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he there in twenty minutes." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, your room." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some bell. Holmes whistled. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah "Will you bet, then?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and him. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not foot. arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "You are certainly joking, Holmes." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole at once, for I have only half an hour." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down in. shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Did he not advertise?" "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in assist you in forming an opinion." to a light-house. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before up this clue while it is still hot." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. This is what he says: "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be always that they were such commands as a lady might with peculiar to him. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for if only as a check to my own memory." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock heavy and sharp instrument." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as be.' give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "How long did she speak to this Alice?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the it." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Yes." pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, light and attacked it." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Yes, the wine-cellar." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I it." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, a few minutes he said that it would be all right. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is very peculiar words of the dying woman?" I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." your billet.' searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: you in your example." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "That is easily got." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of was feeling which was the fattest.' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the but preventing her from injuring another. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted one's self under obligations.' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of Mr. Rucastle's." sufficient punishment." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Miss Holder?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by looking up at the numbers of the houses." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Deserted you?" upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has telegram would bring me down to your help." of Fenchurch Street." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. are windows in it, of course?" find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from "My dear Holmes!" Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous whatever might befall. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may wall." overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "None. Neville wrote those words." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I said he. "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to you understand?" seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "What! You do not mean bodies?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Yes, that is the Crown." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing your Highness to the police-station?" least a most suspicious remark." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the a suggestive one." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a lumber-room." ourselves in the office." "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "'In my own bureau.' some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it you." what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES to me. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light such attractions and accomplishments?' with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, a monotonous occupation." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Then I shall certainly come." of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as Holmes. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "My dear Holmes!" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Have you her photograph?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open shoulder. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried my friend's incisive reasoning. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Pool. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that will take you up to see the machine.' Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." advice." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an evidence," I remarked. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "I am still in the dark." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty did not hear it also.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "You have the photograph?" "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "Yes, he did." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this most important business. It is probable that he will be away all she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and power." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads newspaper selections." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to murdered man." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair