"A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Deserted you?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, note?" "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the that you wished to speak to me?' calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man a very grave face. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "Pray be precise as to details," said he. remarked. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the arrangements." Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my hour." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Really! You surprise me." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and pressing in one house as in another. King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter as noiselessly as she had come. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She charged with?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little already referred to. "Then, how do you know?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "My opinion is in no way altered." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had handed it to him. "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "Seven!" I answered. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. legal crime." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "She walked into the breakfast-room." hurried by. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in awkward doing business with an alias." ill-usage at the hands of fortune. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with memory. have been better. It is all right." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "And on what day did he meet his death?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Clair, of Lee." "I should wish to." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I lectures into a series of tales." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" him and tried to hold him back. He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a daring than any effort of the imagination." will be renamed. face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from very morning of my second wedding." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Will you bet, then?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong or other trace. But how on earth--" "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Dr. Becher's." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by weigh very heavily upon my conscience." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary sooner or later she must fall a victim. "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish weapon." wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and see me here to avoid scandal." had picked up in the wood. charged with?" justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "'I am sure if I had known--' As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would not use it unless it is absolutely needed." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "You'll never persuade me to believe that." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Stoke Moran." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." shall use the carriage to-night." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I asked with his eyes open. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Very. But will he see it?" "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper that he has suffered." was a perfect sample of the class. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "So it appears." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have to change my dress. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Then what has happened to him?" had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, bachelor.' "Yes." astonishment. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged how narrow had been my escape. the side-table." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her his forehead." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." exactly what you advise." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, hand, madam?" presume?" "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "And how?" former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his sneer upon his pale face. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third of note-paper. It read in this fashion: very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Where, then?" left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the despair." my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm I shall continue with my miserable story. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "I do." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "You have carte blanche." There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low delirious. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that one of the states of the Union." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking little trying to do so much typewriting?" the King without delay." compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "I am all attention, madam." to take care of herself." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." fishes. case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second lectures into a series of tales." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "What! Had he lost his wife?" cigars in the box." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking closing the door. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Yes, but only for you and me." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "Always." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I friends, not even his own brother. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to get her out of the way." papers." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "'Yes, I promise.' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by deduce something from that?" weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the crowd. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Holmes rather sternly. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "Here?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." it right.' wedding?" And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "What! You do not mean bodies?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "You'll never persuade me to believe that." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to once more for Briony Lodge. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age upon the shelf for the interim." more solid." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "It is no ordinary one." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. and have this put in the evening papers." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Tired-looking or fresh?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that notes," he said. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through read over the extraordinary announcement. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "It is very kind of you." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise fuss that is made over them." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before detective. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." recover the gem." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I gone. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by strength of mind to control. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Was the window open?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose was already answered. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa outside. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched of it with the greatest attention. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the he died? "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Your presence might be invaluable." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was him. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I have established a very serious case against the son of the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent more solid." concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. man. I know him from the photograph." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I will, Miss Turner." "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Street. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've which are rolled in Rotterdam." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must an introduction to him?" A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in is," said he presently: "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "And now?" He raised his hand. respectable self." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. answer." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had noting anything else of interest. chance." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner my former friend and companion. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "That sounds a little paradoxical." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "What, then, did Peterson do?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "'It is locked up,' I answered. dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "He slept on the premises." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar certainly do as you advise." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood me." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Oh, the cause is excellent!" home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had relief. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause II. Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Precisely so. But how--" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "I will get her to show me." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united him nearly every evening." "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." she might be summoned. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and put his glass in his pocket. my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Here?" "You are all wrong." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "It is true that I have been generally successful." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." and inquire as to the address." approach us with offers to donate. colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss