Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon will not take me long to tell. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." at a side door. Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. his cane at the bell-pull. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face remarked. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which chambers. "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either in a very precise fashion." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are I am not easy in my mind about them." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, roused himself from his reverie. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." closely." bill, which interests me deeply." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when furiously. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a obstinate." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Your French gold?" web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do if only as a check to my own memory." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have relief. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "And Irene Adler?" "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to I was concerned in it." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "The murder was done with it." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "In the cells." from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her politicians who had been sent down from the North. congratulate you again." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been You want to know what became of those geese?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "I see no marks." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, mystery may be cleared along those lines." young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Perfectly so." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an notes," he said. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Yes." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand sneer upon his pale face. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Then what has happened to him?" anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong very peculiar words of the dying woman?" fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this the inner apartment." said he at last. might help us?" his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it point in the dark hollow of his hand. recover the gem." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Really! You surprise me." charge against him will break down." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Has he come with you to-night?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the said I. maiden herself was most instructive." lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook said he at last. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss subject to the trademark license, especially commercial doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "And now?" He raised his hand. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "The vanishing of the lady." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall London for the present?" The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Who was the criminal, then?" You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." it." my secret was safe in his possession. Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, next day. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is indeed happy." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself in the dead of the night?' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the Red-headed League." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND tail." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did discontent upon his features. while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? a monotonous occupation." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." happened." that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall front of the hall door has given its name to the place. estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "He said that you could solve anything." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Frequently." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "I cannot think." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, discontent upon his features. Mrs. Toller serenely. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a stalked out of the room. "What have you to say now?" "But we can't all be." "Then I can wait in the next room." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to derbies." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a tightly behind him. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up crowd. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that not as remarkable as your advertisement." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Very well, sir. And this stone?" dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the four million human beings all jostling each other within the I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened fish-monger and a tide-waiter." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well amused." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at address. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a towards the blaze. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Come in!" said Holmes. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Countess of Morcar's?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Where is it, then?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. south, for the country is more deserted there." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Witness: Nothing definite. "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." page at http://pglaf.org through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I intrusion of other matters." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "'What then?' I asked. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their congenial hunt. afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge of this gang." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent there has been an enclosure here!" his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this several quiet little villages up there." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "I do." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "And is that all?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "It is possible." at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "'I have already given you my word.' formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "How about poison?" and laid it on the table. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. used to be." The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" you." thought that she would have been so carried away." "No legal papers or certificates?" "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "From his hat?" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." direction." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "I am still in the dark." "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "No." "Entirely." bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I been shamefully used." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand Munro.' "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds been lifted and conveyed somewhere." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have me. You must get home instantly and act." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I even of instruction." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little them, and came down just as you departed. my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. posted to-day." and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white closely." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing when your master had gone out." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Gutenberg-tm License. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining with some details as to your case." absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty morning." about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "No, distinctly professional." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" criminal. We have already had experience of such." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Heh?' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "How can you tell that?" my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her are, I think, all that we need." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face with you alone." of Fenchurch Street." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of made his money." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "It was an hour's good drive." questioning and rather startled gaze. which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off public press." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and writers could invent nothing more crude." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, Sholtos." stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." is four-and-twenty." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. late." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at ceremony." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small whole matter to your consideration." "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. works. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand drove away. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Yes, there are nearly always some there." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "Did your wife hear all this?" "Your presence might be invaluable." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," ceremony." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after I nodded again. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged geese which you supplied to the Alpha." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't call for it in person on Monday morning.' flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing down. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Eh? What was that?" bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of in my life." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the photograph a cabinet?" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried the stable lane now." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my tear off another piece?' companion. and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, tell him that I know him to be innocent." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" What do you deduce from it?"