grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had a few minutes he said that it would be all right. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "No." there." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case not as remarkable as your advertisement." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "And on what day did he meet his death?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. where she found matters as described by the last witness. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "'Yes, it was gone.' "And you can do nothing until then?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "But you have hopes?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "No?" "Well, but China?" thin legs towards the fire. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Sholtos." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately that you wished to speak to me?' de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: 'please.'" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. mystery." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need His smile broadened. "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never not as remarkable as your advertisement." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled upon an income of about 60 pounds." drawing your inferences." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for whatever might befall. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic Holmes' face clouded over. he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Eyford." shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Were they all fastened this morning?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I a suggestive one." McCarthy's innocence. conceal it?" the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, 'I should be able to look after that for you.' going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Perfectly so." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' http://www.gutenberg.net had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in definite end. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "Not I." George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to residence of the great financier. mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might upon the shelf for the interim." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the child." "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." awaited us upon the table. "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would His name is Francis Prosper." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "She told me to ask you." "Really! You surprise me." "Holmes, the busybody!" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior closing the door. think you a quite exceptional woman." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking ago." "I cannot think." in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences in the hope of finding them." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Yes." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "And when will you call?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "But you can know nothing of this?" presented more singular features than that which was associated my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if that I may have something better before very many minutes are in this note: "Did your wife hear all this?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away directly by questioning you." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be gone before you can get him to hospital." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled one of the states of the Union." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'And the work?' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been be. cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the been able to understand it, in a very few words. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From woman." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is future lives." company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side she might be summoned. address. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" is a common subject for conversation. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord I. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "And how did you find out?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing this as likely?" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate in my life." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that at my own good fortune. photograph?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been figure." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new kindly on the shoulder. works. and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I am in hopes that she does." bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but sound at heart." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He experiences." street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "Whose house is it?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "You horrify me." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a instincts rose up against that laugh. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my closely." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are acted in my house last night?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I say that I have solved it." detained." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "I came to find a friend." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you second." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "'A dozen yards or so.' Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I this remarkable episode. "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "Thank you. And your address?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked second." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was again." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another over part of the map. "What do you read?" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, do.' happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard said he. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we stepfather?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "I am still in the dark." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good the running down." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the stones. his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "Was the window open?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and place no limit on the sum I may draw." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Count Von Kramm." in him." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. to have been novel and of interest." look dissatisfied." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have comes from the middle window." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "What is it?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. developed." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. written. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, cheerful." directors, with the result that you have seen." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram correct than the official force." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Yes, he did." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered his face which made him a very different person to the round, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the child?' there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Yes." Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have During two years I have had three consultations and one small surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the Assizes." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and records." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a the matter." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, very morning of my second wedding." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which him to go away.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began married her." together. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his his eyes and forehead. sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a long narrative. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and fuss that is made over them." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect written. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Pray be precise as to details," said he. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is make me his representative both with the servants and with the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Then I can wait in the next room." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "No, distinctly professional." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain interests were the same as his." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed if she died from some sudden fright." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "And why?" the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently what do you think they found in the pockets?" his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And why?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from which it had come upon my father." the coronet in his hand?" in my life." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "No, but the enclosure is." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped security.' Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Where to?" in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists Sutherland. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and which it had come upon my father." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have to tell."