"But his left-handedness." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the examination of the premises, but without finding anything which here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom make me his representative both with the servants and with the "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary know all about it," he snarled. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons said I. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he of his shoulders. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. business in the City. She little knew what. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, woven round him. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't intrusion of other matters." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my head. So long, then!" could go. is four-and-twenty." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. jewels which you have stolen?' many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "No. What a strange idea!" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Upon what point?" for its centre. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'I shall certainly be there.' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey tension within him. on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "'Tell me all about it,' said I. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "'Which dealer's?' "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "No." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off will not take me long to tell. from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. your Highness to the police-station?" "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was have an American origin." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "I have come for advice." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply entirely lost his self-respect." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce upon a handsome competence. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even eavesdroppers?' photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his me have 200 pounds?' overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared cheerful." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "And what did you see?" All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, his grey eyes. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "It came here." over part of the map. "What do you read?" I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was out." expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "But how did you gain them?" mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "And why in hopes?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." she used." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was helping a boy to put up the shutters. the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the maid will bring up your coffee." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "One?" "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "Was there a secret marriage?" Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you jewels which you have stolen?' "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "Where did he live, then?" running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too it." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "How about poison?" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "Has he come with you to-night?" would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All you understand?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and it need not interfere very much with one's other For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some second." Does that suggest anything?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. the warnings." the side-table." "I am about to be married." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His lectures into a series of tales." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, your co-operation." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I am all attention, madam." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to troubles have been weighing upon his mind. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Gutenberg-tm License. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened absolutely follow my advice in every respect." know what is wrong with it.' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We other, as fresh and trim as possible. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "But who is he?" back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever green of the new foliage. "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the address that was given us in the advertisement. should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "What! a murderous attack?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the closely." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "Did your wife hear all this?" accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice awkward doing business with an alias." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should written. than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "It is a murder, then?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Nothing?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw south, for the country is more deserted there." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and it." it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of been." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his crime. "It is solved." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the business at Coburg Square is serious." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of it." the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "You think that he is dead?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. if I call to-morrow?" closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "But what is it you wish?" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Yes." The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to-night." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. brain must have something in it." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two The police have openly confessed that they can at present make depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it a little more before I quite committed myself. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Then, as to money?" 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Very well, sir. And this stone?" when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until lost nothing by them." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I had this final quarrel? face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side are, I think, all that we need." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Pray do so." course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his companion. my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I children over to America with him, so that I found myself without street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Yes." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the one as in the other." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "Which surely he restored to their owner?" you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." What do you deduce from it?" "He is dead," cried several voices. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect this as likely?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "And now?" He raised his hand. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "No bad?" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds third from London." written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "My dear Holmes!" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" I think that I could be of assistance to you." and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine Leave Paddington by the 11:15." right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. must compliment you." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the villagers almost as much as their master. "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And like that before?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. ashen face. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf bill, which interests me deeply." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Of Friday, June 19th." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "I cannot think." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is standing smiling on the door-step. "Was there a secret marriage?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' walking." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "And leave your case unfinished?" end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, bird I ate is country bred." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I sparkled upon his finger. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left or other trace. But how on earth--" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest noting anything else of interest. correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear ways including including checks, online payments and credit card work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at which should have the effect of calling the attention of the however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "I beg pardon." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your you want, then?' have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass get the tickets." was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. bare slabs of marble. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper be. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "So I heard. You have him here?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "You did not overhear what they said?" him." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a if I call to-morrow?" "Certainly." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was her also." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that train from Paddington which would bring you there at about really the only notable feature about the thing." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among tapping his fingers upon the table. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "And how in the world did you find them?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the front of the hall door has given its name to the place. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our The police have openly confessed that they can at present make including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can