silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm washing it down with a long draught of water. over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" here and I will read it to you: "And you can do nothing until then?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "You don't mind breaking the law?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your unclasping of his long thin hands. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an been able to understand it, in a very few words. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "From his hat?" from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "It is possible." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small fattened it expressly for you.' and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between weary and pale-looking. been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'And what salary do you ask?' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" against a man in the prime of life?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." meant it for the best. or in danger--" outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. our word." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "No?" partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'Where could I find him?' photograph?" up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the taking in every detail of the apartment. "But you can know nothing of this?" and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "A client, then?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the little opening for the ventilator is." 11:15.' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day something of him before." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, have established a very serious case against the son of the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving Chief Executive and Director a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my noting anything else of interest. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." is so. I know all about McCarthy." Holmes' room. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know here." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate considering the formidable letters which were received by himself infinite languor in his face. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely you found me to-night--and running through the front room she my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very minor matters until to-morrow." "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest that you wished to speak to me?' and your relations to her." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "But he might be a bachelor." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, "You will not go there first?" remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I rooms." horse could go." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "What can it mean?" I gasped. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself awkward doing business with an alias." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. strong reason behind." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "Nothing?" stalked out of the room. in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was few hundred pounds.' "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." chemical work which was so dear to him. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Nor running a chance of arrest?" down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to British peeress.'" the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "No." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Your presence might be invaluable." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house important." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "What?" one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George never came back." into the room. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair both be extremely obliged.' "Married! When?" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. ordinary clothes on?" everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a his cane at the bell-pull. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow it." passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "He slept on the premises." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "Well?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "Where, then?" second." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. child?' Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have this truth that in these little records of our cases which you of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over if only as a check to my own memory." insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders the King without delay." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Because he was handy and would come cheap." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. questionable one." which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was once more. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the roots. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I am to be neutral?" tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon to change my dress. "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." in his hands." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself answered with a sidelong glance. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by learned something! Where are the gems?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that to take care of herself." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Yes, they were peculiar boots." pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious useful material for showing traces. The double line a little his face which made him a very different person to the round, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which husband's writing, madam." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their are, I think, all that we need." Countess of Morcar's?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, his huge brown hands. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked conversation I have gathered that they have been married about hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "That also I could fathom." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made I think that I could be of assistance to you." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning my little problems." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and glanced through. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner lost his Christmas dinner." least a most suspicious remark." down. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'Is purely nominal.' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the cup of tea. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, front of me. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." in my life." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did your room." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put some place of shelter and let the county police know what has woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of horse could go." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Well, some hundreds of times." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen tapping his fingers upon the table. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client that he will be back before evening." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." if I call to-morrow?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, taking in every detail of the apartment. be there in time for your coming." "He slept on the premises." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Did you become engaged then?" central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Because he was handy and would come cheap." confronted him. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "I cannot tell." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of key turn in the lock." "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden one's self under obligations.' "Certainly." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and gone. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own important." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "But she could not love him." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and that he would see to anything that turned up. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "Nothing." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I think that it is very probable." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the congratulate you again." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too tell me that you intended to go into harness." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." awkward doing business with an alias." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party room had already been engaged for us. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. had formerly been in part my own. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "Which are?" neither fascinating nor artistic." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "He disappeared so suddenly." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ down from London to inquire more deeply into it." horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By official police." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out business in the City. She little knew what. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the you in yours." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the