Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went was already answered. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the matter." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Ten will be early enough." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "Perhaps we may make them less so." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "And how?" Count Von Kramm." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. have had none more fantastic than this." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "But his left-handedness." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Perfectly so." colour had been driven from his face. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if information in his hands the value of which he did not himself effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "No, I had a dozen." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "You have compromised yourself seriously." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Certainly,' I answered. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of Fenchurch Street." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Seven!" I answered. be.' silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" narrative." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the so-precious time, but come!' he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the neither fascinating nor artistic." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress drawing your inferences." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "But of what society?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow with frightened eyes at his accuser. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door believe that I should never have any practice at all. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the bears upon the case?" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Only as much as we can deduce." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both in this note: "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "I am armed." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler newspaper selections." "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. cost them two and thirty pounds." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I room. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "He might." at my own good fortune. would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "The knees of his trousers." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Mary, has deserted me." was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right cup of tea. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely closely." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "Where did he live, then?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his nothing of it?" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. British peeress.'" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. keep the flames under. lectures into a series of tales." public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "He said that you could solve anything." of the vacancies.' "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with so far?" "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "He said that you could solve anything." drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "It is a murder, then?" have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it you." no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may young Openshaw's." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "Is he quiet?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "Eh? What was that?" heavy and sharp instrument." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to whether it answered to the description of any of their "She told me to ask you." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely said I. and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. presented more singular features than that which was associated child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away completely overtopped every other consideration that we both it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "'And what salary do you ask?' great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came right! Sit down and let us talk it over." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'No, I know no one in these parts.' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "And that is--" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "It is a murder, then?" "Very much so." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a crackling voice. "Pray do so." "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "Then I am your man." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project these bleak autumnal evenings." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "10th. John Swain cleared. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows very morning of my second wedding." true." "And the cigar-holder?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is eavesdroppers?' It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant through." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in prisoner's face. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told presented more singular features than that which was associated "At what time?" do you make of it all?" "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, of your young ladies.' Surrey." "No, I am descending." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so written. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "He disappeared so suddenly." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, into the bag, and made for the door. premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. During two years I have had three consultations and one small step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." learned something! Where are the gems?" other lovers by making love himself." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "I cannot as yet see any connection." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "'Yes, I promise.' entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "No, my brougham is waiting." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "I do." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." them present such singular features as the strange train of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." brain must have something in it." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double affair. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and habit of advancing money.' though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Has he come with you to-night?" companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "I was afraid that you were engaged." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, hardly wander." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found to miss it." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very other means.' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some companion. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I certainly do as you advise." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two what is your own theory as to what took place?" thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "I cannot imagine." gone. "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was done what I asked you, Jones?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "What steps will you take?" I asked. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "To the police?" bird of prey. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand garden below. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "It is possible." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Was she in good spirits?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you if I call to-morrow?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess breakfast." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'And what salary do you ask?' been with you?" http://www.gutenberg.net "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "And what did you learn from him?" "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me orange pips. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you looking up at the numbers of the houses." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to to-night?' his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told lost nothing by them." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Then what has happened to him?" as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over chamber." "Dr. Becher's." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he "No bad?" think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after guilty parties." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather appeared upon the scene." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked I held the little printed slip to the light. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some guilty parties." little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it from the brougham. "He is still with you, I presume?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the companion imperturbably. plantation.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Yes, certainly." Holmes. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before points to suicide?" that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a she might be summoned. 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little better in every way that they should make their position a little was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with bearing upon the case." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I His smile broadened. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was directors have had misgivings upon the subject." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the