beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the voice. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, out." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety arrested. You then--" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations to tell." woven round him. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." will be renamed. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his hands. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for new duties?' had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "She walked into the breakfast-room." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and the King without delay." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater behind me. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the upon the white wrist. protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "You horrify me!" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "Then, how do you know?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Your sister is dead, then?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Deserted you?" "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for dear old homesteads?" at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Yes, sir." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor present." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to breakfast and whispered something to her husband. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" occurred." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of tassel actually lying upon the pillow. old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the are, I think, all that we need." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Sholtos." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the charged with?" It was close upon four before the door opened, and a the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." opportunities to fix the problem. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was any little problem which you may submit to me." and have this put in the evening papers." read over the extraordinary announcement. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My clanging. all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," me where it went to?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it or in danger--" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys awkward doing business with an alias." still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, strong and stiff." "No, I am descending." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Yes." married her." "Yes, it was twisted." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised lamp in his hand. I took the paper from him and read as follows: "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "I came to find a friend." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "And from a noble client?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. This is what he says: "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free of the efforts of the United States government and of the better thought that she would have been so carried away." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "I assure you that I am in your hands." "What, then?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a father's place of business?" as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. rose-bushes. "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel morning." "The murder was done with it." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of for the market.' your bag." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. goes." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Yes." overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran salesman. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than hurried by. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Very murderous indeed." painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, 'please.'" There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "No, I had a dozen." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of and laid it on the table. his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at remarked. He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any a little more before I quite committed myself. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this not use it unless it is absolutely needed." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, once more for Briony Lodge. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "But who is he?" was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to what do you think they found in the pockets?" same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I awkward doing business with an alias." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "If so, much may have happened between." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." to Leatherhead. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid arrangements." "What! a murderous attack?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I remarked. my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of tear off another piece?' just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It must be recovered." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been ran thus: "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another was used.' going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "No. His orders were to stay in the house." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "I came to find a friend." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some woman." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." despair." from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I would give my fortune to have them back." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them it." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. without a word or a look. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. chance." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last flock.' This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "Did you become engaged then?" you." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." seen the man in the road." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, not within a twentieth part of the market price." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "No, but the enclosure is." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "And now?" I asked. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "I will try. What is it?" main points of my analysis." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "My private note-paper." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon me, and I could not think that his explanation of the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I am all attention, madam." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Not him." chemical work which was so dear to him. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. meanly of me." power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace out of this horrible affair." "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and over with notes and figures. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an question. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "It is half-past ten now." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got danger is over." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed asked. will be renamed. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers will find little credit to be gained out of this case." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a chair. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped your room." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must "It is half-past ten now." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "That sounds a little paradoxical." more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "And on what day did he meet his death?" swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. you do it in twenty minutes!' father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his writer." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and once more. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very that, and I came down." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set me, and I could not think that his explanation of the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out bell. Holmes whistled. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I leave you to your papers for a little." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though you want, then?' "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." ordinary clothes on?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "May I see it?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well prepare for the new role I have to play." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I and I shall be with you presently." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House washing it down with a long draught of water. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "It was." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the brandy and water within his reach. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have delighted to hear it," he said. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Just look it up, then." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "None. Neville wrote those words." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. married her." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought most important business. It is probable that he will be away all VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Tired-looking or fresh?" opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that it." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Not particularly." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure passage and a tap at the door. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked during that time.' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope