the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "His face fell immediately. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Miss Holder?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "What then?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Yes." "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to which we had just quitted. Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "VIOLET HUNTER." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of had no one to advise her at such a crisis." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press than to us. man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they help us in this matter." moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see ago." the window, rose as we entered. people in all walks of life. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was discontent upon his features. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the was not a bird to be seen there. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might letters?" trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "So it appears." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my through." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "That also I could fathom." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" again on its way. said I. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE fait accompli?" "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the himself to hunt down. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "So it appears." Pope's Court. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "Nearly eleven." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Thank you. Pray proceed." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of she used." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It is his hat." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. nonsense.' spare." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "And I." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "I say that I have solved it." the south-west, I see." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "Very well, sir. And this stone?" been shamefully used." sufficient punishment." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She new acquaintance to Baker Street. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, detained." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "You saw the ventilator, too?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden have established a very serious case against the son of the "In San Francisco, a year ago." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "It certainly sounds feasible." "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her him nearly every evening." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of over with notes and figures. Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "I have seen the police." "What then?" Where does the thing come from?' black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged of it with the greatest attention. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by mystery." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and is," said he presently: boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which photograph?" "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very From what you have told me I think that it is possible that former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his politicians who had been sent down from the North. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. tell me that you intended to go into harness." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "My photograph." danger is over." "Did he not advertise?" to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And fish-monger and a tide-waiter." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon least a fellow-countryman. breakfast and whispered something to her husband. the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to later, upon the night of May 2nd." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a prepare for the new role I have to play." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" that I can to serve you." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Serpentine Avenue. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here desk. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All shadow pass over his face as I spoke. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the behind me. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. house for five minutes.' front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital are, and they are waiting for us." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. waste of energy." "He is still with you, I presume?" "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be *** START: FULL LICENSE *** locked." to surprise her." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered forebodings. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the room while you explain this matter?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the dead, shall be safe with us." "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "And Irene Adler?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "Yes?" Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table outside." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "And what did you learn from him?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "'How far from the body?' locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal me upon any point which I do not make clear." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' chemical work which was so dear to him. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending row." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite burst into a hearty fit of laughter. crime." "By train from Waterloo." to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. again before evening." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, lost his Christmas dinner." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the there is a decided draught." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "You have a clue?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Yes, sir.' may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I placed his cuttings. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it get her out of the way." whatever might befall. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped bachelor.' "Imitated." "No." long narrative. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him would apply.' "'Ten to two.' my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the over here." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "That is easily got." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some ourselves in the office." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had peculiar to him. fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am that I am arrested." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one copied or distributed: "BALLARAT." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "There is the writing." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek interested in these little problems, and since you are good and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right entirely lost his self-respect." deduce something from that?" five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by remarked. compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at Serpentine Avenue. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "It looks newer than the other things?" our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked signal between you and your father? I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did lumber-room." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been Doctor, of the paper and the date." walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I it with his own hands." XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who as noiselessly as she had come. shoulder. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Does that suggest anything?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed congratulate you again." immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by advice." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened from you?" system of imprisonment?" always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Have you it here?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would back to my heart. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best any more." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of call you and give you the chance." "An enemy?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really papers must be those that are destroyed.' glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "And that is--" beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin