he. "You don't mind breaking the law?" set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "'Oh, no.' once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large thought that she would have been so carried away." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "Not him." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a better in every way that they should make their position a little "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Married! When?" gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel all-comprehensive glances. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES directors, with the result that you have seen." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "'I am sure that I do not know.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' this man was intellectual?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "But how could you guess what the motive was?" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "'Then let me do so?' would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "But the mystery?" used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man nice household for a young lady." "We must have a cab." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime you do it in twenty minutes!' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has this as likely?" you want, then?' a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that dear old homesteads?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up be.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all train.' vault. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Well, but China?" "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I our word." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "And what did you learn from him?" "An enemy?" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "That also I could fathom." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the out." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and answered with a sidelong glance. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "I beg pardon." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. that you wished to speak to me?' inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy suggested at once that there must be a communication between the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. there in twenty minutes." built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Your sister is dead, then?" "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be becomes even more simple." awaited us upon the table. despair." you, my dear young lady?' "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the had picked up in the wood. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the security.' follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped this truth that in these little records of our cases which you living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be I shall continue with my miserable story. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "My own seal." 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate ceremony." then?" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "It's nothing of the kind." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a laugh and put his lips to my ear. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Your sister is dead, then?" desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Leave Paddington by the 11:15." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their matter." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "The King of Scandinavia." a very grave face. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other ways including including checks, online payments and credit card searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Is he quiet?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for future lives." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich his forehead." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the investigation." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she one of them." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Now, then, what's the last entry?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my so.' "You think so, too?" baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall house for five minutes.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "His face fell immediately. Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "I will not look." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling horse could go." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "You think that he is dead?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and capable of preserving a secret.' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Nothing." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, prepare for the new role I have to play." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before a very grave face. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Nearly eleven." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a there!' have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been has little to do with my story." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us enter into my head. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "What, then, did Peterson do?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'What, the red-headed man?' appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Ten will be early enough." "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." late." seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a I shall continue with my miserable story. round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the and glanced through. "'Yes.' away into the river." "Was the window open?" gone. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to was a loud and authoritative tap. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a which we had just quitted. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now existence." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and gone. my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure wanted for ourselves." suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, my former friend and companion. fled together." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper or other trace. But how on earth--" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such are, and they are waiting for us." the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a following enigmatical notices: "No." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a matter over." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town bled considerably." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Is purely nominal.' saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. strong and stiff." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "What is it, then--a fire?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "To ruin me." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to strode off upon his way. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "The doctor?" over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than drawing your inferences." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, Pope's Court. finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was chemical work which was so dear to him. written. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be considering the formidable letters which were received by himself to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "I will get her to show me." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'Is purely nominal.' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I know what is wrong with it.' there is a decided draught." "At what time?" idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man national property. I was determined that the law should have its "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "Yes, the wine-cellar." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage highly," said Holmes. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the little opening for the ventilator is." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was who was a member of your goose club." very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to see me here to avoid scandal." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone arms and began to sob in a high treble key. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "You are all wrong." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend lips." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the anything to do with the matter?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall tell me that you intended to go into harness." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and prosperity to your house. Good-night." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the appointment with me for six o'clock?" indeed which he could not unravel. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Do you know him?" "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Nothing?" o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and