a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for of note-paper. It read in this fashion: I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who him to be an active member of the medical profession." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The returned to France?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this compunction about shooting them down." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "You are all wrong." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are gbnewby@pglaf.org give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "And that is--" discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "It looks newer than the other things?" little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a which should have the effect of calling the attention of the found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Has he come with you to-night?" the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an would apply.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. with frightened eyes at his accuser. there were so many in the whole country as were brought together up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the astonishment. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Yes." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time husband's writing, madam." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "He might." seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Pray do so." work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "A client, then?" free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, purpose of examination. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. guilty parties." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "At the wedding breakfast." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled was a lad." more terrible than the truth. the address that was given us in the advertisement. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a strong and stiff." fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Certainly." "Yes, but only for you and me." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. to some other building. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, page at http://pglaf.org "How did that help you?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious States. that he will be back before evening." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in outside. "This photograph!" fear." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some correct than the official force." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, himself in a perplexing position. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "Indeed! Whose, then?" learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "You think that he is dead?" arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Her father is very rich?" call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six enter Dr. Roylott's room." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I am about to be married." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." became a certainty. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a ordinary clothes on?" goes." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." said I. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to get her out of the way." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, have an American origin." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my tell them apart.' the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "You think so, too?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "About a month then." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "Yes." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the ceiling. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "But what harm can there be in that?" some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of business at Coburg Square is serious." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' said he, "my real name is James Ryder." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then wedding?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the armchair which I pushed forward for him. "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a the inquest, and which are worth considering." "In what way?" asked Holmes. opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. more terrible than the truth. read it out to me." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "I have seen the police." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and foot. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I your bag." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." all-comprehensive glances. "Why did you pick him?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they geese which you supplied to the Alpha." eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as shall not find me ungrateful." "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the exactly what you advise." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting some water from a caraffe. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! his face. politicians who had been sent down from the North. Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "So it appears." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both depend upon my doing so.' red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Very well, sir. And this stone?" passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months guilty one." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. occurred." outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis Heh?' In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "What! Had he lost his wife?" cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their have established a very serious case against the son of the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "And why?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been case-book, which he consulted. which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he of the way of danger. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news too. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Pope's Court. to have been novel and of interest." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Dirty?" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to my special province." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, hurried by. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, discontent upon his features. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Not particularly." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ started for the Temple to see my husband. The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Then, how do you know?" colonel looking down at me. safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." comes from the middle window." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "That is it on the dressing-table." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't and I shall be with you presently." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Come in!" said he. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few because she had spent so short a time in this country that she dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this way in." upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. foot. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just I think that I could be of assistance to you." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "No, my brougham is waiting." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I am following you closely," I answered. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Absolutely?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. became a certainty. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and galvanised. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "But the mystery?" hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this light and attacked it." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. Project Gutenberg-tm works. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure shoulder. "'Quite sure, dad.' Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "I see many objections to any such theory." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend his huge brown hands. guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." bled considerably." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove business in the City. She little knew what. to tell." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than remarked. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "In which, sir?" remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots are, I think, all that we need." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just get the tickets." and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "No." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder present." He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to hair?' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "Yes." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington