Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It tapping his fingers upon the table. point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied window when the police appeared." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "Stolen." furiously. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, this poor creature." "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly stalked out of the room. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements lost nothing by them." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, he. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his take the flies, but not before." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of to affect your life." before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "Where did he live, then?" in my life." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King really the only notable feature about the thing." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "It looks newer than the other things?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly obstinate." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." room. foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, gone before you can get him to hospital." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he people don't know." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium seen the man in the road." strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "Dark enough and sinister enough." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," fait accompli?" Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yesterday." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when back alive. think, you have already met." would apply.' "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he call you and give you the chance." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, take the flies, but not before." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are a suggestive one." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "At what time?" really the only notable feature about the thing." and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "'Never,' said I. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. affection." an introduction to him?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "Game for a morning drive?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he is acting for the best. bachelor.' "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune questioning and rather startled gaze. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I nothing with him." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite be.' "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." thought that she would have been so carried away." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "No." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a in his hands." precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I I am not easy in my mind about them." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the letters?" the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of affection." Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I behind me. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I despaired of." fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "But you have hopes?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no young Openshaw's." the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who security.' you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it will he say when he returns?" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the his knees, staring into the fire. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If very old mansion. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "But his left-handedness." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Perfectly so." "You don't mind breaking the law?" beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, read over the extraordinary announcement. uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get again." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "How did he come?" quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed leaning back in his chair. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" went to the Alpha were town bred." "You know me, then?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the was a lad." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "It certainly sounds feasible." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "How did you deduce the select?" lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" happened." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six noble correspondent could be. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the when your master had gone out." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds hardly wander." "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Nothing." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that meant." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Do you receive much company?" he asked. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." followed. suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." goes." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & all that?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from lost his Christmas dinner." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more late!' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, Stoke Moran." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "The knees of his trousers." out." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. results." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "I cannot tell." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and brain must have something in it." "What then?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, him to go away.' the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic hurried by. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he "And sit in the dark?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "What do you mean?" were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and that you can jump it.' "And who is her maid?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the have an American origin." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily "Yes." Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "It is his hat." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern him nearly every evening." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will once more for Briony Lodge. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "How on earth--" in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads my little problems." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Holmes, the busybody!" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and I shall be with you presently." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Thank you. And your address?" "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did searched, without anything being found which could incriminate have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. unprofitable." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' which we had just quitted. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "I am armed." "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see what do you think they found in the pockets?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine ordinary clothes on?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "But you would not advise me to refuse?" residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a he bowed and left the room without another word. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when crime." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your questioning and rather startled gaze. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of you." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This comes from the middle window." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter and have this put in the evening papers." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would fasten all the windows?" the coroner come to?" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency to have been novel and of interest." "Yes." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder will take you up to see the machine.' was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I cannot tell." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "There are none." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day your only hope of safety." "'Most admirably.' black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable orange pips. records." "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' bird of prey. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the records." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. danger is over." of fine shops and stately business premises that they really XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "It was a confession," I ejaculated. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into ashen face. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. more terrible than the truth. "Was the window open?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." is acting for the best. continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out