made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Have you her photograph?" "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Mrs. Toller serenely. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able during which he might have communicated with his friend the thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. crowd. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what companion. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. case before our client came into the room." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot dramatic, in fact." compunction about shooting them down." "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "From his hat?" quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them his cane at the bell-pull. "You have a clue?" way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and way: beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Holmes' room. Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk upon an income of about 60 pounds." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "'It is locked up,' I answered. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was child?' said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is legal crime." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about feature." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, case before our client came into the room." Doctor, of the paper and the date." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in introspective fashion. reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), wedding?" hurried by. "Quite so. She has her freedom." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be Have you good authority for what you say?" "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter directly by questioning you." knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera never will be, entirely cleared up. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the iron safe, which he closed upon it. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to it? Did I buy the geese off you?" can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "To ruin me." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly becomes even more simple." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the touch that coronet?' "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Nor running a chance of arrest?" foresight and the moral retrogression?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps later, upon the night of May 2nd." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in Farm upon the left." "Then I shall certainly come." while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose address. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the bed, and you in that chair." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion papers on the sundial.'" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Thank you. Pray proceed." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are derbies." figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Ha! you find it so?" ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To where we are going." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt is four-and-twenty." the night.' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "How did he come?" think that any burglar could have done. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are said I. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "Certainly." conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And is that all?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Certainly." "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" said he. fait accompli?" ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, hardly wander." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, wedding?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "The knees of his trousers." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined call it cruel." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." developed." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'As governess?' "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. was feeling which was the fattest.' slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of into her hand at the door and which lured her within their - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That in this way: "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Always." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "It is a murder, then?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have very morning of my second wedding." "I see many objections to any such theory." from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the to-night." in a friendly supper." stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which later, upon the night of May 2nd." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds green of the new foliage. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt becomes even more simple." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the roused himself from his reverie. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" examination of the premises, but without finding anything which In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "And what then?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the station." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "What do you make of that, Watson?" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Were they all fastened this morning?" events than those which have happened in my own family." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very are windows in it, of course?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing noting anything else of interest. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. heavy and sharp instrument." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "Yes." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "It's nothing of the kind." "What is it, then--a fire?" his forehead." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost this truth that in these little records of our cases which you ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in breakfast?" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, has little to do with my story." jewels which you have stolen?' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an in the dead of the night?' joking. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must tell me that you intended to go into harness." think you a quite exceptional woman." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, habit of advancing money.' against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. straightened it out again. "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to matter over." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a problems help me to do so." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE I shall continue with my miserable story. believe that I should never have any practice at all. me. "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "Why serious?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "But we can't all be." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "A client, then?" "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Perfectly so." the bed, and you in that chair." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. happened." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "Yes, all." "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "But what will you do?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very interest. They are important, you understand, without being "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles persecution?" low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I know where it is." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "But who is he?" broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my highly," said Holmes. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." there was no need for father to know." But Holmes shook his head gravely. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make The King stared at him in amazement. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a nothing with him." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the skylight. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the second." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the learned something! Where are the gems?" must be when I saw the door open.' and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever forebodings. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. and the church but not where the lady lived." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came nothing of it?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the back alive. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided quick march!" which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "The best possible." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some everything which you would wish to know." "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'Yes, I promise.' same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a ourselves in the office." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of works. See paragraph 1.E below. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by him to go away.' At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." my former friend and companion. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the desk. me. is worth.' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may meant." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and his eyes and forehead. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "Now, then, what's the last entry?" her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "'What, the red-headed man?' Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those questionable one." good-night and bustled off upon her way. "I see no marks." "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are tapping his fingers upon the table. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was gone. who was a member of your goose club." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the driver. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were ourselves in the office." desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway pressing in one house as in another. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my less than 26s. 4d. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you