"You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "Not in a good cause." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. memory. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the six. Come in!" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "And the cigar-holder?" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of cigar and let me expound." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "She told me to ask you." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. back into the street. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, few hundred pounds.' "He slept on the premises." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small an introduction to him?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." already been minutely examined." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "But you were on a friendly footing?" He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has and files of the old papers, following the future career of every your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "I will try. What is it?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be to tell." "You have but to name it." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "The best possible." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but I am not easy in my mind about them." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the bed dies. Does not that strike you?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Has he come with you to-night?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to British peeress.'" "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He because she had spent so short a time in this country that she dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," shaken than I had ever seen him. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The matter over." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Then I can wait in the next room." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Then let me do so?' and put his glass in his pocket. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar wedding?" "Ample." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event matter." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box been with you?" kindly on the shoulder. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one once more to my work. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" to-night's adventure." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "You are all wrong." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my with some details as to your case." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we overpowering excitement and concern. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." excitement. again, where I was soon asleep. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm fat-encircled eyes. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and to arrive at through this?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in leave you to your papers for a little." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business three fields round his house, and there he would take his as he folded up the epistle. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "I cannot tell." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded had picked up in the wood. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in chamber." "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the who was a member of your goose club." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in village inn over there?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by was a perfect sample of the class. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less coat-tails." "What I expected to see." "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late triumphant cloud from his cigarette. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "Where, then?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "No, finished." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would keep the flames under. certainly not very gracious." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." felt?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Sutherland. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "And how did you verify them?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered been with you?" singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came examine." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass I was concerned in it." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help works. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business and files of the old papers, following the future career of every Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Is he quiet?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "There are none." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "What of the rat, then?" "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. touch that coronet?' "It is possible." with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "And your father? Did you tell him?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from ran thus: "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "And I." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Very murderous indeed." "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the entirely devoid of interest." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the note?" consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "I say it is." Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted come either from the window or the door. My attention was relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which your troubles." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the roots. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses awaited us upon the table. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "She will not sell." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built was it brought him the coronet? We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And impression behind it as though a window had gently closed For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that eat it." continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations he died? was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she disturbance in my wife." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it lumber-room." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see I nodded to show that I had heard. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his night.' said he. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "There are none." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had gone before you can get him to hospital." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'You cannot say what it was?' been able to understand it, in a very few words. like gravel from a pit.' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, a good hundred miles off by now." "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than shag which I had seen upon the previous night. provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers past. read over the extraordinary announcement. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, hopeless attempt at recovering them." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "9th. McCauley cleared. where she found matters as described by the last witness. the so-precious time, but come!' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "'Is purely nominal.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," country, and eventually married, without anyone having a sentimental considerations in the background which would induce The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another said I. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Pray do so." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to what I may call a really hard day's work." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been nothing with him." any little problem which you may submit to me." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I present." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was was once confined in the cab my mission was practically were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come off." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a mystery." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot she has been waylaid. There has been no result." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose was a loud and authoritative tap. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent and laid it on the table. "What I expected to see." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "By train from Waterloo." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a chambers. least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." October 9, 1890. she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable if I call to-morrow?" did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the bachelor.' if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would present strange and interesting features that it is no easy comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "In which, sir?" mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One were wasted." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy rooms." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "It is to him that this trophy belongs." is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "What then?" unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you cost them two and thirty pounds." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "Your French gold?" vanished into the darkness. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "In answer to an advertisement." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way more solid." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I *** START: FULL LICENSE *** was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "You think that he is dead?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "Well, but China?" "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "He is still with you, I presume?" "And how?" "'Which dealer's?' society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "But you have hopes?" as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest walking." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "No good news?" "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "It missed him, then?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work forbidden door. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at what I may call a really hard day's work." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' opened the door, and slipped through. extraordinary contortions. makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, bachelor.' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, questioning and rather startled gaze. were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to nonsense.' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "One of the highest in England." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "'Ample.' of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "No legal papers or certificates?" my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in