expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place my former friend and companion. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "Which surely he restored to their owner?" them, and came down just as you departed. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I coroner's jury." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the matter." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and up this clue while it is still hot." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'There is a drive, then?' To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty the stable lane now." the date of his supposed suicide." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa question you as to those details which seem to me to be most outside." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "How can you tell that?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled forebodings. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the the matter." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their sit on the left-hand side of the driver." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of your room." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in suspect him." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah business in the City. She little knew what. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite Holmes' room. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible again before evening." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been I held the little printed slip to the light. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "'Stolen!' he cried. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying best detective that ever lived. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he me." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "'There is a drive, then?' but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me whether it answered to the description of any of their and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what the matter." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Which surely he restored to their owner?" effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. situation." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. grasp, he hurried from the room. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, purpose of examination. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "No, I think that I'll take it." Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door closing the door. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet second window is the one that I jumped from." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or from you?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, stepfather?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Where, indeed?" public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over himself in a perplexing position. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he page at http://pglaf.org sentimental considerations in the background which would induce like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Yes, it would be as well." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that system of imprisonment?" between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood my friend's incisive reasoning. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than occupations.' probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Why serious?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Dark enough and sinister enough." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but my room." "You will not go there first?" "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute soul! here is her carriage at the door." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an noble correspondent could be. bled considerably." only touch the interest." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "We must sit without light. He would see it through the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Dr. Becher's." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Absolutely none." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Pray do so." ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" views." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Were they all fastened this morning?" made him keep the appointment." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." the tragedy. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Not social, then?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I chambers. "My Mary? Impossible!" "But how did you gain them?" character. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel as noiselessly as she had come. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Arthur Conan Doyle "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been because she had spent so short a time in this country that she morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had all?" four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House interested in these little problems, and since you are good drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Then what has happened to him?" at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Bought." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "'How far from the body?' quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "Not social, then?" play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by enter Dr. Roylott's room." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical bled considerably." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the it means?" exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he it? Did I buy the geese off you?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white have had none more fantastic than this." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "How do you know, then?" determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside events, Mr. Windibank!" "'Yes, sir.' nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had wife's character?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Stoke Moran?" said he. preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "What will you do, then?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some you found me to-night--and running through the front room she I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found you." "Precisely." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from without a word or a look. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Yesterday." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father business came to an end." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "It looks newer than the other things?" suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in Does that suggest anything?" considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Countess of Morcar's?" happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no gone. seen the man in the road." "What will you do, then?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to of a light. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and the coronet at all injured?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the you want, then?' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of asked. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but face and glided from the room. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a present." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "What are they?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story fled together." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Yes, that is the Crown." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "But you have hopes?" "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "Yes." there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "BALLARAT." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Watson," he said cordially. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. him to be an active member of the medical profession." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler recover the gem." attention." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "About a month then." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. go--none." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "But his lameness?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Did you become engaged then?" Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this said he, "my real name is James Ryder." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "We must have a cab." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." not personally threatened." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "I am about to be married." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "9th. McCauley cleared. assist you in forming an opinion." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, my little problems." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of on in his house." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "How about poison?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "You saw the ventilator, too?" action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two back to my heart. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "You have it, sir, just as it happened." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott fattened it expressly for you.' "I say it is." take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all