"Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not people don't know." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in felt?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire it." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus Count Von Kramm." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the lips." begun to whiten, even as mine has." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "What?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination wedding?" 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he would then never go into court at all." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "They are typewritten," I remarked. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of foot. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" humiliation." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the morning." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers indeed happy." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy is a common subject for conversation. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a locked. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I have come for advice." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was presented more singular features than that which was associated me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE During two years I have had three consultations and one small moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Were they all fastened this morning?" I nodded again. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "My last client of the sort was a king." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards disturbance in my wife." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate hardly wander." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "I saw her in conversation with her maid." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of closely." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And fatally injured? "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as lips." of." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were and your relations to her." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to noting anything else of interest. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a window when the police appeared." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "To an English lawyer named Norton." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found I held the little printed slip to the light. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "How often?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose on in his house." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." again, where I was soon asleep. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Entirely." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being noise which awoke you from your sleep?" from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room unprecedented a position." charged with?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social house for five minutes.' practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Was your sister dressed?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the matters immensely." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a and files of the old papers, following the future career of every had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always "But the mystery?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Get out!" said he. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should into the bag, and made for the door. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. article?" he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be husband's writing, madam." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing have not had my rubber." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and my former friend and companion. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "No good news?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "But I am all in the dark." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" cup of tea. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "When did it break out?" "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it appointment with me for six o'clock?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "Not yet." "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case arrangements." "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign companion imperturbably. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. overpowering excitement and concern. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I father's young wife. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "I will, Miss Turner." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hour?' Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself but preventing her from injuring another. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "I have seen the police." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was woman." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent enough to aid us in our search." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "I have hopes." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, will be renamed. I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve goes." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the amused." glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my acquaintance?" Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come "They are typewritten," I remarked. "'Oh, no.' retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord dates and names. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "My opinion is in no way altered." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the in him." twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. electronic works daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had awaited us upon the table. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "I have come for advice." your sleep?' once more to my work. "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Won't it ring?" "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Can I be of assistance?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left be. end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "What, then?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a see a sister of mine apply for." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Dr. Becher's." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain as this. Pray let me have the details." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended States. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the had formerly been in part my own. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." until night should bring an explanation. who was a member of your goose club." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' be. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only papers must be those that are destroyed.' "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor strange features which were associated with the two crimes which particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. mystery may be cleared along those lines." "No?" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Yes, sir." later, upon the night of May 2nd." that you saw all that I did." "No, I had a dozen." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "You think that he is dead?" north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I am in hopes that she does." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "No, I think that I'll take it." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. second." hair?' his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Not at all. I only doubt--' case-book, which he consulted. walking." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should indeed happy." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments bedroom door." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "At what time?" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to been with you?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "A confidential servant?" for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "'Yes.' "'And the work?' ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird woman." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had This is what he says: "He disappeared so suddenly." own family. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair leaning back in his chair. to Leatherhead. planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began for the market.' II. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which which are rolled in Rotterdam." sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "Certainly." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and everything which you would wish to know." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Then how many are there?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester and capable of preserving a secret.' power." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better said he. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had be there in time for your coming." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. are, and they are waiting for us." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera was keenly on my guard against him. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Was he the only applicant?" very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "I am armed." absorbing." my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Ah!" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction page at http://pglaf.org to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have highroad, where all traces were lost. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the