"'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, "Stolen, then." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and she might be summoned. destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. done what I asked you, Jones?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, families. Now for the facts. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Look there!" said he. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of the general public were present, then?" asked. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this wall." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. business?" in him." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact than to us. suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm take the flies, but not before." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which you, my dear young lady?' can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Very well, sir. And this stone?" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "Well, it is a possible supposition." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. is so. I know all about McCarthy." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Certainly." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he his fortune, and I went back to pa. You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" never will be, entirely cleared up. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The King of Scandinavia." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" seen the man in the road." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' beyond words. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative head. So long, then!" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving for the market.' and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in forebodings. Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my is," said he presently: have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with gbnewby@pglaf.org "No more words. Get out!" glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the be. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Literary Archive Foundation poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger foot. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "But not more so than I to find you." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a did not hear it also.' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the which it had come upon my father." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really my special province." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an where she found matters as described by the last witness. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Sholtos." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a absorbing." certainly do as you advise." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "But your client--" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would in the dead of the night?' once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few she has been waylaid. There has been no result." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Yes, sir." "He slept on the premises." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were help us in this matter." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Her father is very rich?" "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, hopeless attempt at recovering them." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Yes." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and looked back. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable details." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on helping a boy to put up the shutters. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." ventilator." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? again before evening." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, would apply.' "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. meanly of me." your equipment. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, union?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a useful material for showing traces. The double line a little and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes neither fascinating nor artistic." "Here?" "Absolutely?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning Sutherland?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been walking." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest when you have done it." hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads you give your casting vote to?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the This is what he says: providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right frequently gained my first real insight into the character of hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "And you don't know his address?" My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'Certainly not.' "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the redistribution. late." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." followed. beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. hurried by. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "An enemy?" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened annoyance, but no jest. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this bears upon the case?" there." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to gone. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the ceiling. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Stoke Moran." matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'Stolen!' he cried. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing had a long day." including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists chance." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Entirely." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was danger is over." coroner's jury." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'And the work?' state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut the one as in the other." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Ample." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon since then to throw any light upon what became of him." three of the beryls in it, was missing. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I as he folded up the epistle. that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." peculiar to him. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, point our research must commence, and we will begin it by meanly of me." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'What are you doing there?' he asked. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "But we can't all be." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "I answered that I had not. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I will get her to show me." turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that retorted upon me, and I on you." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, if she died from some sudden fright." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera noble correspondent could be. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for fait accompli?" at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "It certainly sounds feasible." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir points to suicide?" "Why, what do you mean?" In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I daring than any effort of the imagination." present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position six. Come in!" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent thought that she would have been so carried away." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Precisely." "How did he come?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even