"I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "And it is--" But Holmes shook his head gravely. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, security.' congenial hunt. one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people most interesting one." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and breakfast." a little more before I quite committed myself. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle colour had been driven from his face. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a here and I will read it to you: http://gutenberg.net/license). License. You must require such a user to return or carriage. It was a chestnut." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at train.' "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three country, and eventually married, without anyone having a likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I that in this note: reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "It came here." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who is," said he presently: side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. gone. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, room. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." with her." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Countess of Morcar's?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy asked with his eyes open. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "At the wedding breakfast." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I annoyance, but no jest. weighed down with some great anxiety. "Quite so. She has her freedom." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Your presence might be invaluable." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "What steps will you take?" I asked. let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might noise which awoke you from your sleep?" fat-encircled eyes. something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to corner of the building. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Have you it here?" sentimental considerations in the background which would induce town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of window when the police appeared." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend weapon." away into the river." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling done what I asked you, Jones?" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes, I have one waiting." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is call the police, let the police find what they can.' "If I can be of use." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the himself to hunt down. game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his garden below. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "'Certainly not. But why?' keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "But I am all in the dark." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six guilty one." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Then what has happened to him?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning man. I know him from the photograph." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as more terrible than the truth. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "Nothing." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. The police have openly confessed that they can at present make fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we in darkness. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the criminal. We have already had experience of such." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, villagers almost as much as their master. "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a This is what he says: wall." They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "BALLARAT." body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited forehead. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a was lame." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded But Holmes shook his head gravely. out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "One of his hands." "I have seen the police." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" there has been an enclosure here!" "No." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. vault. away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "I cannot tell." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend head. So long, then!" hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. persecution?" 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the inquest, and which are worth considering." as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to the running down." "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be The King stared at him in amazement. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "You saw the ventilator, too?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a if I call to-morrow?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I have a cab outside." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I my special province." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." jewels which you have stolen?' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I guessed as much." doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by intrusion of other matters." passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the roots. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the redistribution. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Ah!" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "So I have heard." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of written. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which front of me. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate some place of shelter and let the county police know what has To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." his knees, staring into the fire. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even sit on the left-hand side of the driver." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." get her out of the way." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City problems help me to do so." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. orange pips. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "How can you tell that?" practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful true." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "We were both in the photograph." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress The events in question occurred in the early days of my end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a the dangers which encompass me." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as upon an income of about 60 pounds." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the lectures into a series of tales." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon hand, madam?" course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the date of his supposed suicide." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower forehead. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as here." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. served to weaken the effect. appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a correct than the official force." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white information in his hands the value of which he did not himself I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "I see many objections to any such theory." manager. true." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard neither fascinating nor artistic." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "And is that all?" with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the off." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose situation." "'Ample.' smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of redistribution. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" as the one I chose?' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew late!' "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining instituted." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other child?' danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "That's no good." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "I promise," said Holmes. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." for securing the situation." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "In the cells." "How did you deduce the select?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one