written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Witness: I must still refuse. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES she slowly sank and died without having recovered her of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "And how have you succeeded?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can house for five minutes.' "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the coroner come to?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the coronet in his hands?" all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the sound at heart." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is away into the river." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just your co-operation." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker of a light. gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in just ask you whether you had heard it.' brain must have something in it." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their shoulder. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "None." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are might help us?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over system of imprisonment?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She notes," he said. I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from weary and pale-looking. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "And I say east," said my patient. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he forbidden door. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon emerged. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the to take care of herself." "Certainly." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and me. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they to take care of herself." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The salesman. happened." "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of bell. Holmes whistled. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "That also I could fathom." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, taking in every detail of the apartment. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." crime. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "We must sit without light. He would see it through the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect could not account in any way for the presence of the missing there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded photograph?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "No, thank goodness, she did not." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the be. himself to hunt down. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself acted in my house last night?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the tragedy. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "It is very kind of you." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no little trying to do so much typewriting?" "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are the morning and make my own way in the world.' "'Where to?' spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and society." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, purpose equally well?" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the matter?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "She showed me, as I told you she would." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came spark where all is dark to me." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Yes, I promise.' "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any hurried away. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. I leave." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as as yours." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the think, you have already met." lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they carried out of court." certainly not very gracious." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has appeal." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for is worth.' lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more mystery!" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with room. friend's singular character. a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the annoyance, but no jest. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the him to go away.' glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace The note was undated, and without either signature or address. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and stammered. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Entirely." you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! manager. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. situation." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "'How far from the body?' breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. followed. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the as yours." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of memory. details." thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property would apply.' statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "You horrify me." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it eavesdroppers?' is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might laugh and put his lips to my ear. you?' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Just look it up, then." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "And you can do nothing until then?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw anything to do with the matter?" the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough knowledge of the world." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "May I see it?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his that there was nothing in it, after all." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, laugh and put his lips to my ear. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "My Mary? Impossible!" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where your sleep?' cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something speckled band?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but note?" "And leave your case unfinished?" such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This had formerly been in part my own. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, that he will be back before evening." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was brought there to personate someone, and the real person is Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a appeal." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" my special province." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was it? Did I buy the geese off you?" I shall communicate with you." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. read it out to me." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you room?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door writer." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I peculiar to him. "Yes, but only for you and me." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me clang of the bell. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any ordinary clothes on?" matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "By all means." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Well, it is a possible supposition." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on touch that coronet?' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. appeal." Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." already been minutely examined." to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might once more for Briony Lodge. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was I shall communicate with you." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. our word." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" I. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "The murder was done with it." "Where to?" business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" again." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, went to the Alpha were town bred." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite keep the flames under. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his tear off another piece?' the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "And for present expenses?" the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "My photograph." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a your Highness to the police-station?" useful material for showing traces. The double line a little that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my colonel looking down at me. keep the flames under. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush do you make of it all?" "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack business came to an end." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Game for a morning drive?" confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest open." twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the pity, because in other respects you would really have done very until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though fire. You quite follow me?" the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height,