but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "That is easily got." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "What can you not understand?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, in his hands." the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It thin legs towards the fire. unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, indeed happy." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "We were both in the photograph." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "May I see it?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns with her." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." upon the shelf for the interim." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Certainly." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "It surprised me." urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Arthur Conan Doyle "Then you may be so with me." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "And why in hopes?" papers must be those that are destroyed.' when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, room?" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The something of him before." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "'It is locked up,' I answered. what I may call a really hard day's work." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an discontent upon his features. pictures, libraries, or plate. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "This concluded the examination of the witness." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to you came in." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose have one." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it upon the white wrist. the coroner come to?" diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. matter." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "It goes to the housekeeper's room." "'Where could I find him?' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. through." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "What then?" villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter approach us with offers to donate. upon the sideboard." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he as yours." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all morning." "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to lost nothing by them." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "No, I had a dozen." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any The note was undated, and without either signature or address. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed to miss it." that I may have something better before very many minutes are making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for appointment with me for six o'clock?" way: "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If leaning back in his chair. intrusion of other matters." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest crime. "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his placed his cuttings. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. are windows in it, of course?" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "I see many objections to any such theory." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" his knees, staring into the fire. play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I am in hopes that she does." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She criminal. We have already had experience of such." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "What then?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Yes." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down least a fellow-countryman. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church started for the Temple to see my husband. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "And who is her maid?" metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "What will you do, then?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal your troubles." lectures into a series of tales." "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "She will not sell." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in she might be summoned. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "VIOLET HUNTER." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without searched, without anything being found which could incriminate grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in "ARAT," I read. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange outsides of the windows. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest 1.E.9. Sutherland. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the friend's singular character. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I is now desirous of getting those letters back." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "'And the work?' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety works. clanging. "Your presence might be invaluable." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "The doctor?" should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 there is a decided draught." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong both be extremely obliged.' standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Not I." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "ARAT," I read. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "Was he the only applicant?" guilty parties." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock pierced for earrings?" Sutherland?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the three of the beryls in it, was missing. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "It is very clear." individual and becomes the badge of a society." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." sneer upon his pale face. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive and the whole place is in a blaze." heavily into it. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the certainly not very gracious." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "And how have you succeeded?" closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low question you as to those details which seem to me to be most fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the infinite languor in his face. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in highly," said Holmes. "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip photograph?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had during which he might have communicated with his friend the but preventing her from injuring another. Where does the thing come from?' lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "But you can know nothing of this?" though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar quickly through a disagreeable task. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he events than those which have happened in my own family." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not ventilator." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of tension within him. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers thin legs towards the fire. I nodded to show that I had heard. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and Holmes' thin, eager face. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Then, how do you know?" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my the side-table." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he http://www.gutenberg.net Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut points to suicide?" "But how?" unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help gone. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "'Where could I find him?' than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "Yes." his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and I nodded again. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "How can you tell that?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my went to the Alpha were town bred." "Will you bet, then?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "They are typewritten," I remarked. "By train from Waterloo." the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' in my life." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." a little more before I quite committed myself. "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which upon the white wrist. find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my "Eh? What was that?" I shall continue with my miserable story. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy awkward doing business with an alias." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and straighten it?" said I. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' of the one which your family is now devouring." in his hands." papers." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face just ask you whether you had heard it.' "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that shoulder; "he's all right." the coronet at all injured?" encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a