"Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you?" though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Is he quiet?" month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "'Yes, I promise.' the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just not fit the lock." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always felt the room to be a little close.' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "That is also quite modern," said the lady. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, in this note: lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Well?" "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, the salesman. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now along the entire front of the house, with three long windows could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of forehead. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then "It is half-past ten now." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in room?" future lives." at my own good fortune. the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. of the vacancies.' quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. is four-and-twenty." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my detective. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which good for you to do.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in "No good news?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "Yes, the wine-cellar." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even there!' 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "And I say east," said my patient. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the tragedy. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." for the market.' "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." through." "Perhaps we may make them less so." "Yes, the wine-cellar." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. signal between you and your father? the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. speckled band?" into her hand at the door and which lured her within their the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "At the wedding breakfast." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" conduct the inquiry." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was giving me time to thank him. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, back to my heart. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are will not take me long to tell. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, wedding?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her returning from some small jollification and was making his way It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one highly," said Holmes. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Holmes' face clouded over. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "A greater distance to travel." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "And why?" against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little because she had spent so short a time in this country that she train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard answer." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" giving me time to thank him. lips." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Stolen, then." chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, at my remark. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, closely." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "No." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and I am not easy in my mind about them." every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall page at http://pglaf.org of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended spark where all is dark to me." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to good-night and bustled off upon her way. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the station." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "There are none." "Really! You surprise me." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "And you thought he was pulled back?" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the occupations.' The summons was a brief and urgent one. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of row." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got security.' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest to talk it over. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It trifles." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "Then he might have called to you?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. when your master had gone out." wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two key of the affair now." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under sneer upon his pale face. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace both be extremely obliged.' "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' fled together." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the back to my heart. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. Again Holmes raved in the air. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "It was." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at notes," he said. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the London for the present?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" disappearance of the bride.'" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "How on earth--" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "Yes, that is the Crown." and effective." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. shall use the carriage to-night." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" not use it unless it is absolutely needed." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "And why?" opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, gives a meaning to it." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent secret." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting was it brought him the coronet? "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Upon what point?" it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Yes." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he nonsense.' photograph?" present." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through spare." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and that I may have something better before very many minutes are He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray weighed down with some great anxiety. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in 'I should be able to look after that for you.' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "Ah!" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, electronic works be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Stoke Moran." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the IS very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I say it is." figure." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "Breckinridge is his name." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose out." present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have lips." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I at my own good fortune. "One of the highest in England." an introduction to him?" companion imperturbably. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I of a light. "It is true that I have been generally successful." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, brain must have something in it." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that fatally injured? I shall communicate with you." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "But I have heard all that you have heard." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Then you may be so with me." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered room. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "I guessed as much." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "But she could not love him." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three I nodded again. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' The King stared at him in amazement. we went to search for him, face downward in a little I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "She will not sell."