of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." salesman. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "It surprised me." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an nice household for a young lady." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he felt the room to be a little close.' Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "I cannot say that I have." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers note?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried Lee, in the county of Kent." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. matter." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until into the bag, and made for the door. anything to do with the matter?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in enter into my head. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by the morning and make my own way in the world.' so far?" Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he too. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES ran thus: case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. direction." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "No?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "But you can know nothing of this?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Watson," he said cordially. copied or distributed: his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "Then the page we have seen--" here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a the very morning of the wedding." "That is possible." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "No, I think that I'll take it." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop and inquire as to the address." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, I approached. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in done what I asked you, Jones?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "Yes, it was twisted." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." colour had been driven from his face. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it might help us?" "Texas, I think." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than done what I asked you, Jones?" "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner if she died from some sudden fright." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "But how?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "But how will you look?" "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, individual and becomes the badge of a society." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "That also I could fathom." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on some place of shelter and let the county police know what has passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already during that time.' together. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "There is the writing." "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "He is dead," cried several voices. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "I cannot say that I have." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do call the police, let the police find what they can.' agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "No?" other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Tired-looking or fresh?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Yes." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the devil!" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must stammered. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted done what I asked you, Jones?" and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my in my life." no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among promised to bring home. my secret was safe in his possession. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will keep the flames under. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day window when the police appeared." to you." not interfere, come what may. You understand?" plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial strong reason behind." orange pips. even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Street. "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't that threaten you." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do and effective." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, question," said Holmes, smiling. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "And how have you succeeded?" "Nothing." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he window when the police appeared." who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made delirious. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "What will you say?" "It is very kind of you." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six and laid it on the table. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Mary, has deserted me." word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any his face which made him a very different person to the round, the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no in the dead of the night?' a little more before I quite committed myself. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "This concluded the examination of the witness." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "Why? What do you mean?" in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Yes, he did." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always introspective fashion. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I should be immensely obliged to you." chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival upon an income of about 60 pounds." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "I say that I have solved it." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "My stepfather's business papers." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "Not him." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just fear." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about garden below. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into families. Now for the facts. cause to be." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. wanted for ourselves." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it she might be summoned. both be extremely obliged.' their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich floor. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an conduct the inquiry." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. there in twenty minutes." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated drove away. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the obstinate." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "My opinion is in no way altered." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "It is his hat." your Highness to the police-station?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Where did you address your letters, then?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. been shamefully used." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong second window is the one that I jumped from." have had none more fantastic than this." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "One of the highest in England." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have silent! Oh, he will be silent!' of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided weapon." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Edgeware Road. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "But it has twice been burgled." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I have solved it." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform McCarthy's innocence. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? allusion to a rat. "Then what has happened to him?" "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "Yes, sir." a room. painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are face and glided from the room. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." better grown goose." key of the affair now." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of careless servant girl?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" prisoner's face. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "I cannot imagine." seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "How are you getting on?" and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of quickly through a disagreeable task. hour." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "And it is--" "'Never,' said I. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at narrative." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of to tell." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a tell me that you intended to go into harness." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "By no means." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable his huge brown hands. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." of the vacancies.' little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in his cane at the bell-pull. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "I have a cab outside." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and orange pips. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case following enigmatical notices: weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. to tell." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven putting in the horse. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Why, what do you mean?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now you?" "My own seal." "That's no good." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a just called myself is not exactly my own." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is characteristics, but those are the more obvious." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each asked with his eyes open. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Here?" conduct the inquiry." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say