as yours." do.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "One of his hands." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "But what is it you wish?" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I hardly wander." comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. "That was it, sir." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Have you it here?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. seven miles from Eyford Station.' that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for of it with the greatest attention. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "But she could not love him." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was lost his Christmas dinner." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely there!' evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," wanted for ourselves." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "'It is locked up,' I answered. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning him!" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "What then?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "But what will you do?" tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To The summons was a brief and urgent one. case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in what these perils are?" could gather together that I was able to avert another public country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "The landlord of the Alpha." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, wife's character?" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." to miss it." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." figure." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a and inquire as to the address." distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. or other trace. But how on earth--" bachelor.' "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a miles off. questionable one." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he some water from a caraffe. idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the the inner apartment." "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Will you go?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge back into the street. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and was not a bird to be seen there. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and asked. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the there when the Rucastles went away." secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his This is what he says: pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, call for it in person on Monday morning.' had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he woman." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just correct than the official force." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "I should be immensely obliged to you." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary when your master had gone out." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in John Swain, of St. Augustine. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to cheerful." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and to some other building. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Your French gold?" conclusions. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "I came to find a friend." utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, hour?' waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little a room. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback was shining brightly. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking she slowly sank and died without having recovered her window when the police appeared." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** official police." together. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw might help us?" which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in legal crime." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she believe that I should never have any practice at all. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get way in everything. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned of campaign. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press house for five minutes.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. papers diligently of late, have you not?" "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out learned something! Where are the gems?" present." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw dear old homesteads?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "It is a murder, then?" all that?" is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or details." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the how narrow had been my escape. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and done what I asked you, Jones?" nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them success. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, will he say when he returns?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, daring than any effort of the imagination." should be taken.' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "He disappeared so suddenly." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I union?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not think that any burglar could have done. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'Ten to two.' "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "And what then?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "I should be immensely obliged to you." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and the night.' "'In my own bureau.' fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed she used." Munro.' "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." ordinary clothes on?" evidence," I remarked. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative writers could invent nothing more crude." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project in a very precise fashion." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to "'Where to?' behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "No, I had a dozen." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one You can understand that this register and diary may implicate VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE redistribution. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Dark enough and sinister enough." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "I have come for advice." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to handed it to him. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias hour?' the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Never." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, formed some opinion?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to it with his own hands." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "What steps will you take?" I asked. into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then highly," said Holmes. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you some city in a dream. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never situation." to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Yes, from Horsham." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a behind me. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "'I am sure that I do not know.' delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally than to us. "A confidential servant?" but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know been anything against him. He had for years been known as a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your you found me to-night--and running through the front room she face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "By no means." "No more words. Get out!" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the very morning of the wedding." I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two http://www.gutenberg.net what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I don't believe it." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor the general public were present, then?" half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Yes, it was twisted." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day unclasping of his long thin hands. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their pressing in one house as in another. "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known where she found matters as described by the last witness. with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him it means?" bare slabs of marble. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the inquest, and which are worth considering." writing, and yet I know it well." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how intrusion of other matters." weapon." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in that threaten you." written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off electronic works the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would him and tried to hold him back. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "'I am sure if I had known--' practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when green of the new foliage. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." awaited us upon the table. Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for did not hear it also.' and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we must be when I saw the door open.' in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. respectable self." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." to-night's adventure." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old