more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" one's self under obligations.' "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked important." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Well, some hundreds of times." bears upon the case?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Yes." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit question," said Holmes, smiling. "'Quite sure, dad.' "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' row." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here exactly what you advise." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Certainly." "No." point in the dark hollow of his hand. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "I fear not." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "You saw the ventilator, too?" good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm few hundred pounds.' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements in my life." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "What have you to say now?" of campaign. "I would pay ten." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. over part of the map. "What do you read?" 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." your equipment. such attractions and accomplishments?' adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, suspect him." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "The Cedars?" "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back instituted." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "How did you deduce the select?" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as bell. Holmes whistled. colour had been driven from his face. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be imbecility!" he cried. until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "Were they all fastened this morning?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he lost his Christmas dinner." "And what did you learn from him?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." was used.' "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Witness: I must still refuse. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never a few minutes he said that it would be all right. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, people in all walks of life. you?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, What do you deduce from it?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal followed. telegram would bring me down to your help." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window his huge brown hands. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "I think it very unlikely." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the is," said he presently: occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a cigars in their mouths. business matters.' Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm You want to know what became of those geese?" or other trace. But how on earth--" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Yes?" recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out becomes even more simple." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who in this way: "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows you want, then?' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my not come at once?" morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "Then, how do you know?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since awkward doing business with an alias." trying to your nerves." carried out of court." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Munro.' opened the door, and slipped through. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." newspaper selections." He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his take the flies, but not before." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. gone. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both question you as to those details which seem to me to be most four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been man. I know him from the photograph." newspaper selections." intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the "May I see it?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Yes." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'There is a drive, then?' feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the was a perfect sample of the class. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the inquest, and which are worth considering." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to the Assizes." has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense have had none more fantastic than this." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I following enigmatical notices: asked with his eyes open. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, that "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the have established a very serious case against the son of the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands wanted for ourselves." "I am about to be married." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "One of his hands." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. lips." enough to aid us in our search." my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand down in his armchair and closing his eyes. he died? succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. formed some opinion?" "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a the Assizes." than was visible to me." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about or in danger--" memory. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "There are none." "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said attention." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of forebodings. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "What?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I highroad, where all traces were lost. Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "He said that you could solve anything." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently tassel actually lying upon the pillow. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "I am following you closely," I answered. "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Do you know him?" side. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square horse could go." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "And your father? Did you tell him?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door ran thus: of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "The decline of his fortunes, then?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. straightened it out again. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." keep the flames under. "Yes, but only for you and me." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately lectures into a series of tales." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared "'In my own bureau.' scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian strong reason behind." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the behind me. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "Then I can wait in the next room." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "That is unusual in a young girl." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him any little problem which you may submit to me." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered of campaign. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. stood on the top of it. happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "What! a murderous attack?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better The police have openly confessed that they can at present make incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, voice, changing her seat as requested. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "No, my brougham is waiting." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an me have 200 pounds?' you." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I fear not." even so self-evident a thing as that." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for danger is over." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in asked with his eyes open. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." friends, not even his own brother. "It must be recovered." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet front of me. and I shall be with you presently." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I am still in the dark." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently train.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and anything to do with the matter?" belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much our word." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was it right.' For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Have you her photograph?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be from the brougham. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Quite so. She has her freedom." "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless "I am still in the dark." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "How did he come?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and brandy and water within his reach. least a most suspicious remark." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. sound at heart." at once, for I have only half an hour." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of what is your own theory as to what took place?" original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out should be so warm over such a trifle." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which through." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would the warnings." "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the hand, madam?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Was your sister dressed?" fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Perfectly so." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "I would give my fortune to have them back." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. said Mr. Holder. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "You have the photograph?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and characteristics, but those are the more obvious." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If distinguish the words: "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a you."