I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in of this gang." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding seven miles from Eyford Station.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "'What, the red-headed man?' research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble pity, because in other respects you would really have done very had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker my special province." after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "A greater distance to travel." views." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "What then?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he seem to you to be relevant or not." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any weighed down with some great anxiety. advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in I took the paper from him and read as follows: see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's carriage. It was a chestnut." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Yes, sir." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag which are rolled in Rotterdam." A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. next day. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet your room." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a to affect your life." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? are, I think, all that we need." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon never to learn it at all." and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching the room while you explain this matter?" upon the sideboard." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "I guessed as much." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "To the police?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "I do." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "And you thought he was pulled back?" upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "Has he come with you to-night?" a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "And leave your case unfinished?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for girl said." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "No sign of it?" "Who by?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as what these perils are?" "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "He might." to you." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "And it is--" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "There are none." companion imperturbably. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a of the one which your family is now devouring." received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "In the cells." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But as noiselessly as she had come. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who from the brougham. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Gutenberg-tm License. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "A confidential servant?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official the salesman. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "He slept on the premises." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded to me. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a papers." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. showing my impatience. "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical where Mr. Fordham shows you.' pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Will you bet, then?" broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress reach." money should be paid at once.' gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when situation." with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Which are?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and kindly on the shoulder. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "It is very clear." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and there." noble correspondent could be. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "A greater distance to travel." "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Does that suggest anything?" I approached. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But she will refuse." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "Well, some hundreds of times." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at bachelor.' play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Entirely." he bowed and left the room without another word. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "But he might be a bachelor." "ARAT," I read. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite over here." along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Surrey." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." possible that we could bring him back to her? outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an manager. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a be sorry for having acted so harshly." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." gigantic client. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "None." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Yes, it would be as well." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You will not go there first?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come she slowly sank and died without having recovered her she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "Yes, only one." really the only notable feature about the thing." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "What have you to say now?" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at during which he might have communicated with his friend the to miss it." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "He might." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is tell them apart.' better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "And when will you call?" bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Always." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "But she could not love him." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle and effective." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare already referred to. nice household for a young lady." "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "'What do you call purely nominal?' blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in present." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then whatever might befall. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Pray do so." building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. off." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing generous with you in money matters.' telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that passage and a tap at the door. poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I think that it is very probable." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" how narrow had been my escape. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord carpenter." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" my friend's incisive reasoning. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind him and tried to hold him back. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible legal crime." south, for the country is more deserted there." man. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a "You don't mind breaking the law?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, you for a few hours?" may have an influence upon European history." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "In which, sir?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a several quiet little villages up there." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in appeal." looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought it? Did I buy the geese off you?" On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I correct than the official force." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by his fortune, and I went back to pa. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "I answered that I had not. and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic he. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "So I heard. You have him here?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out Cross for the Continent." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "Then he might have called to you?" When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the yet." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel all?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Leadenhall Street--and--" to affect your life." me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "I have my revolver," said I. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "But I am all in the dark." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of salesman. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "You are hungry," I remarked. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. least a most suspicious remark." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He rose-bushes. should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about second window is the one that I jumped from." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "And sit in the dark?" it." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "The knees of his trousers." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in some mystery and the punishment of some crime." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who helping a boy to put up the shutters. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Where did he live, then?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, following enigmatical notices: "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to be.' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Then what has happened to him?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" one's self under obligations.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "And sit in the dark?" "A greater distance to travel." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Was your sister dressed?" "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I cannot imagine." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "What then?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "Never." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "And who is her maid?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in mysterious end." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall the dangers which encompass me." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "Certainly." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "I have hopes." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Nothing." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may