you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Has he come with you to-night?" before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What Have you good authority for what you say?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a allusion to a rat. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit unprofitable." shall use the carriage to-night." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in wall." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I would pay ten." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some bare slabs of marble. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very crime." correct than the official force." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I am to be neutral?" what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of like gravel from a pit.' on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Precisely so. But how--" to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in manager. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any humiliation." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he impression behind it as though a window had gently closed where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may come either from the window or the door. My attention was "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Where, indeed?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the he. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "In San Francisco, a year ago." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera lamp in his hand. "Come in!" said he. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He been with you?" Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "It is no ordinary one." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug results." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were national property. I was determined that the law should have its foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "'I have heard so.' awkward doing business with an alias." year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Two days later this same performance was gone through under perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a yet." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows arrested. You then--" Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he noble correspondent could be. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Do you know him?" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent and all of them with the keenest interest. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed people don't know." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "I cannot say that I have." Where does the thing come from?' him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "No good news?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which rat could hardly pass through." in a very precise fashion." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become the loss of it. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether success. description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Will you go?" see a sister of mine apply for." agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the said he. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "I don't believe it." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through him to be an active member of the medical profession." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further to-morrow." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had are windows in it, of course?" opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "I have a cab outside." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to woven round him. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers this unhappy family?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was any more." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for were new raised from a basin. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "But I have heard all that you have heard." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the Edgeware Road. each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "I will, Miss Turner." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the quick march!" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had on in his house." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the his knees, staring into the fire. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began standing smiling on the door-step. far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a pictures, libraries, or plate. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous money should be paid at once.' "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H wedding?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building be best to do. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of appointment with me for six o'clock?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I father's place of business?" to tell." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He astonishment. pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment now. It seems that there had been some informality about their twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "So I have heard." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: could not account in any way for the presence of the missing heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Perfectly so." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "But you can know nothing of this?" jewels which you have stolen?' people don't know." "Will you go?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, with her." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get hair?' "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the fishes. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Arthur Conan Doyle once more to my work. "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into annoyance, but no jest. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and electronic works so far?" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "Ah!" all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution less than 26s. 4d. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. obstinate." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which posted to-day." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman presented more singular features than that which was associated and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more written. was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be have got?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Is he quiet?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad threw himself down with his face to the pillow. touch that coronet?' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." and laid it on the table. touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal It may be so in this case, also." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'A dozen yards or so.' Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in companion imperturbably. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "No sign of it?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum do.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES so.' It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "Was your sister dressed?" actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and she to prove their authenticity?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "And I to find an enemy." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that again on its way. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us remarked. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." of your young ladies.' the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." 11:15.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There future lives." of Fenchurch Street." "We must have a cab." "Murdered?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" throat." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Holmes." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If chance." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. whereabouts. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the is now desirous of getting those letters back." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other rose-bushes. "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and II. footfalls from the street. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside her also." this poor creature." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into you." the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "In San Francisco, a year ago." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an goes." that there was nothing in it, after all." "I was sure that I might rely on you." was lame." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that "And how have you succeeded?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "And for present expenses?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. character. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an fled together." at a side door. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, hardly wander." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I see no marks." "'Is purely nominal.' nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Oh, no.' words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "An enemy?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to to tell." and that he would see to anything that turned up. and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes one which it was hard to resist. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "And why in hopes?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Then, how do you know?" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a