"I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a of campaign. scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "At what time?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "What I expected to see." had picked up in the wood. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "I think it very unlikely." "You did not overhear what they said?" distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your best detective that ever lived. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Stolen!' he cried. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "No, finished." is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the photograph a cabinet?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. writers could invent nothing more crude." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he "10th. John Swain cleared. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "My last client of the sort was a king." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." the salesman. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "I have seen the police." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. "I assure you that I am in your hands." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs case-book, which he consulted. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Yes." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. in this note: habit of advancing money.' explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, the coroner come to?" Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and was a lad." eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of developed." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "No, finished." the general public were present, then?" strode off upon his way. two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks money should be paid at once.' have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened as he remarks, very much against the son." sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is enter Dr. Roylott's room." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "But I am all in the dark." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily outside." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be rooms." "Perhaps I have." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "You are hungry," I remarked. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Why serious?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Come in!" said he. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Street. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how said he at last. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the wall." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: this unhappy family?" "I will do it." he. in the hope of finding them." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite to change my dress. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." the matter?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Very much so." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. to surprise her." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in himself to hunt down. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have of your young ladies.' profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the enter into my head. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the to-night's adventure." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the roots. money should be paid at once.' reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who ago." "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But him and tried to hold him back. obstinate." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "9th. McCauley cleared. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but learned something! Where are the gems?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those lips." their singular warning or token before them when starting upon very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "And why in hopes?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of the room while you explain this matter?" sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now voice. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "If so, much may have happened between." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy window when the police appeared." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them will be renamed. "It is a murder, then?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "By no means." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose people in all walks of life. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought get the tickets." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "But you have hopes?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "It was a confession," I ejaculated. one of them." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I from the brougham. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "No, thank goodness, she did not." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should without success. At last the little money which I had saved began change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for friends, not even his own brother. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been humiliation." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." your Highness to the police-station?" "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the habit of advancing money.' of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed lamp. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Holmes' thin, eager face. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same derbies." lamp. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "How often?" mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to breakfast." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. out of this horrible affair." "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and your troubles." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our be.' "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. I leave." "By all means." "Will you bet, then?" believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being observed. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" like that before?" death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we Holmes' thin, eager face. we went to search for him, face downward in a little from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and married her." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its of fine shops and stately business premises that they really American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. You want to know what became of those geese?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. "My own seal." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, goes." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide death." southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a The events in question occurred in the early days of my Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the best of training." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your what these perils are?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'What then?' I asked. the Assizes." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "None." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the "And it is--" Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent visitors." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I bled considerably." little adventures." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the stable lane now." "It is very kind of you." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up read it out to me." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my think that he is innocent?" remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "The gentleman I describe." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough strength in the others." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." villagers almost as much as their master. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "And the cigar-holder?" stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "But we can't all be." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that them present such singular features as the strange train of young Openshaw's." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his