the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "How can you tell that?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and II. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "I have my revolver," said I. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the this unhappy family?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "What steps will you take?" I asked. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" intimate personal affairs in this public manner." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the there has been an enclosure here!" unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at enough to aid us in our search." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Who by?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman come either from the window or the door. My attention was fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "He slept on the premises." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed leave you to your papers for a little." do you make of it all?" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we might have a private word with us. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have Chief Executive and Director transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that whether it answered to the description of any of their certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "I don't say that. Perhaps." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as to-night." silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey the salesman. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of developed." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" public press." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" horse could go." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, prisoner's face. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the that he will be back before evening." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they and shall probably return to London by the evening train." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the been with you?" hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted these bleak autumnal evenings." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" official police." to miss it." purpose equally well?" Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Countess of Morcar's?" there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon second window is the one that I jumped from." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was any more." very peculiar words of the dying woman?" mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than lips." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that you." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such the side-table." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." it right.' went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to During two years I have had three consultations and one small Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Pray let us have it, for all that." "No." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I cannot as yet see any connection." business at Coburg Square is serious." "I never have." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his point in the dark hollow of his hand. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been of Fenchurch Street." with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "Always." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "No good news?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused words came to my lips. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent to-morrow." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? ago." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "And why?" someone who had been in Australia." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months in a very precise fashion." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon ceremony." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "I cannot tell." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of the Red-headed League." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "And for present expenses?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn or in danger--" "And your father? Did you tell him?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at man. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "I do." them?" slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "You horrify me!" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little you." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and capable of preserving a secret.' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "No, finished." to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "Ample." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "No, thank goodness, she did not." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "In which, sir?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. might have a private word with us. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'I have heard so.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late this poor creature." struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it tied." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I then?" In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "You saw the ventilator, too?" but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. problems help me to do so." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves upon the shelf for the interim." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was or other trace. But how on earth--" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Quite sure, dad.' teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor salesman. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would 11:15.' professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Frequently." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been most interesting one." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside learned something! Where are the gems?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. o'clock is it?" "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the October 9, 1890. me. were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's quite distinctive." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I came to find a friend." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen residence of the great financier. "One of his hands." description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" hopeless attempt at recovering them." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, bell. Holmes whistled. already been minutely examined." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, and no precautions can guard against." such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Absolutely?" themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "By train from Waterloo." once more. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a Chief Executive and Director "'I am sure that I do not know.' upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "How can you tell that?" age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you like gravel from a pit.' Sholtos." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then foot. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the running down." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a "My dear Holmes!" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other will take you up to see the machine.' presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. off." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have had formerly been in part my own. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the station." him to go away.' would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, You want to know what became of those geese?" "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "VIOLET HUNTER." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" burst out into a roar of laughter. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed business." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a papers must be those that are destroyed.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' McCarthy's innocence. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled said he. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have was not a bird to be seen there. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all Doctor, of the paper and the date." gbnewby@pglaf.org importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in putting in the horse. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a points to suicide?" "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Why, what do you mean?" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon business." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you meant it for the best. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow now. It seems that there had been some informality about their from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it particular state visit http://pglaf.org staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea people in all walks of life. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune sneer upon his pale face. His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "'How far from the body?' eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last brandy and water within his reach. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I that I am arrested." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "Did he not advertise?" "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the held up the lantern and gazed about him. may have an influence upon European history." morning." over with notes and figures. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." highroad, where all traces were lost. hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "I see no marks." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your lids now and glanced across at his visitor. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "Yes, it would be as well." "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have child?' despaired of." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again.